<B HARLEY>

[^LETTERS OF THE LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY, WIFE OF SIR ROBERT
HARLEY, OF BRAMPTON BRYAN, KNIGHT OF THE BATH. ED. BY LEWIS,
THOMAS TAYLOR. CAMDEN FIRST SERIES 58. 1854.^]

<Q HAR 1625 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 1>
[} [\I.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBART HARLEY, KINGHT OF THE BATHE.}]
   S=r= - Docter Barker has put my sister into a cours of
ientell fisek, which I hope by God's bllsing will doo her much
good. My sister giues you thankes for seending him to her. I
pray you remember that I recken the days you are away; and I
hope you are nowe well at Heariford, wheare it may be, this
letter will put you in minde of me, and let you knowe, all your
frinds heare are well; and all the nwes I can seend you is, that
my Lo. Brooke is nowe at Beaethams Court. My hope is to see you
heare this day senet, or to-morrowe senet, and I pray God giue
vs a happy meeting, and presarfe you safe; which will be the
great comfort of
   Your most true affectionat wife, Brilliana Harley.
(^Ragly: the 30 of Sep. 1625.^)

<Q HAR 1625 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 1>
[} [\II.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HOUSBAND S=R= ROBART HARLEY, KNIGHT, IN
BLACKFRIERS, AT MY LO. LEWSONS HOWES.}]
   Deare S=r= - I thanke you for your letter which you sent me
from Tuddington: which gaue me satisfaction of your being well,
so fare on your journey: which ascurance of your health is the
beest nwes
<P 2>
I can heare, except that of your comeing home. I ernestly desire
to heare howe you came to Loundon; and doo thinke your men stay
longe: but I hope they will bringe me good nwes of you, and then
I shall be well pleased. Ned, I thanke God, is very well, and
you will beleeve me, if I say he looses non of his grandfather
loue, whoo is better than you leeft him. And no more to you at
this time; but I beceache the Allmighty presarue you, and giue
you happy meeting with
   Your most faithfull affectionat wife, Brilliana Harley.
(^Brompton, the 10th of Phe. 1625.^)

<Q HAR 1625 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 2>
[} [\III.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HOUSBAND S=R= ROBART HARLEY, KNIGHT.}]
   S=r= - I thanke you for sending me word, I may hope to see
you at Easter, which time will be much longed for by me. I hope
the parlament has spent as much time as will satisfy them in
dooing nothing: so that nowe some good frute of theare meeting
will be brought to ripnes, which is the effect of our prayers.
This day I deleverd the +L100 to my father: which he has payed
to Mr. Davis: that mony that was wanting of it, was made vp with
the +L50 pounde Mr. Lacy payed for wood. The payling of the nwe
parke is made an end of. Yesterday your company only was at
Heariford, to shewe what they had lerned, whear Sr. Jhon
Skidemore and Mr. Vahan weare judges; and so they meane to be of
the reest of the companis, and they haue apointed teen of your
company to learne the vse of theiare armes and so to teache the
reest. This last night I not being very well, made me seend this
day for the midwife, which I thinke I should haue defered to
longe. I asure myself I haue your prayers, becaus you haue so
great a part of mine: and I blls God that you injoy your health,
which I beeg of you to take care of. I thanke God, Ned is well,
and I beeg your bllsing for him: and I pray God preserue you
well and giue you a happy and speedy meeting with 
   Your most faithful affectionat wife, Brilliana Harley.
<P 3>
   I pray you present my humbell duty to my father, and my lady.
   My cosen Thomkins remembers her loue to you.
(^Brompton, the 17 of Mar. 1625.^)

<Q HAR 1627 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 3>
[} [\IV.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBERT HARLEY.}]
   Deare S=r= - Your two leters, on from Hearifort and the other
from Gloster, weare uery wellcome to me: and if you knwe howe
gladly I reseaue your leters, I beleeue you would neeuer let any
opertunity pase. I hope your cloche did you saruis betwne
Gloster and my brother Brays, for with vs it was a very rainy
day, but this day has bine very dry and warme, and so I hope it
was with you; and to-morowe I hope you will be well at your
journis end, wheare I wisch my self to bide you wellcome home.
You see howe my thoughts goo with you: and as you haue many of
mine, so let me haue some of yours. Beleeue me, I thinke I neuer
miste you more then nowe I doo, or ells I haue forgoot what is
past. I thanke God, Ned and Robin are well; and Ned askes every
day wheare you are, and he says you will come to-morowe. My
father is well, but goos not abrode, becaus of his fiseke. I
haue sent you vp a litell hamper, in which is the box with the
ryteings and boouckes you bide me send vp, with the other
things, sowed up in a clothe, in the botome of the hamper. I
haue sent you a partriche pye, which has the two pea chikeins in
it, and a litell runlet of meathe, that which I toold you I made
for my father. I thinke within this muthe, it will be very good
drinke. I sende it vp nowe becaus I thinke carage when it is
ready to drincke dous it hurt; thearefore, and please you to let
it rest and then taste it; if it be good, I pray you let my
father haue it, because he spake to me for such meathe. I will
nowe bide you god night, for it is past a leauen a cloke. I pray
God presarue you and giue you good sugsess in all your biusnes,
and a speady and happy meeting. 
   Your most faithfull affectinat wife, Brilliana Harley.
<P 4>
   I must beeg your bllsing for Ned and Rob. and present you
with Neds humbell duty.
(^Bromton, the 5 of October, 1627.^)

<Q HAR 1628? BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 4>
[} [\V.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBERT HARLEY, KNIGHT.}]
   My deare S=r= - I ame glad of this opertuenity to present you
with the remembranc of my deare loue. I hope you came well to
Bristo; and I much longe to heare from you, but more a thousand
times to see you, which I presume you will not beleeue, becaus
you cannot poscibilly measure my loue. I thanke God your father
is well, and so are your three soons. Ned presents his humbell
duty to you, and I beeg you bllsing for them all; and I pray God
giue you a happy and speady meeting with 
   Your most affectinat wife, Brill. Harley.
   If I thought it would hasten your comeing home, I would
intreat you to doo soo.
   I pray you remember me to Mr. Pirson. I thanke God all at his
howes are well.
(^Bromton, the 7th, 1628.^)

<Q HAR 1629 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 4>
[} [\VI.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBERT HARLEY, KNIGHT.}]
   My deare S=r= - I thanke you for your letter, which I
reseaued this weake by the carrier, and I thanke God for my
father's health. I trust in our good God, in his owne good time,
he will giue a happy end to your biusness. I haue rwitten a
letter to my father, which I send you heare inclosed. If you
thinke it will not displeas him, and it may any thinge at all
seet forward your biusnes, I pray you deleuer it to him. If you
do deleuer it to my father, I pray you seale it first. Allas! my
deare S=r=, I knowe you doo not to the on halfe of my desires,
desire to see me, that loues you more then any earthly thinge. I
should be glad if you would but rwite me
<P 5>
word, when I should hope to see you. Need has bine euer sence
Sunday trubled with the rume in his fase very much. [\...\] The
swelling of his face made him very dull; but nowe, I thanke God,
he is better, and begins to be merry. He inquires for Jhon Walls
comeing downe: for he thinkes he will bringe him a letter. I
must desire you to send me downe a littell Bibell for him. He
would not let me be in peace, tell I promised him to send for
on. He begings nowe to delight in reading: and that is the booke
I would haue him place his delight in. Tom has still a greate
coold; but he is not, I thanke God, sike with it. Brill and
Robin, I thanke God, are well; and Brill has two teethe. Ned
presents his humble duty to you, and I beeg your bllsing for
them all: and I beceach the Allmighty to prosper you in all you
doo, and to giue you a happy meeting with
   Your most faithfull affectinat wife, Brilliana Harley.
   I pray you, S=r=, send downe no silke grogram. I hope you
haue reseuefed the siluer candell-stike.
   Your father, I thanke God, is much better than he was. I pray
you, S=r=, present my beest loue to my sister Wacke.
(^Desem 4, 1629.^)

<Q HAR 1630 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 5>
[} [\VII.\] }]
[}TO MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBERT HARLEY, KNIGHT, AT HIS HOWES
IN ALLDERMANBERY.}]
   My dearest S=r= - Your men came to Bromton on thursday last.
I thanke God that you haue your halth. I hope the Lord will giue
vs bothe faith to waite vpon him; and I trust that in his mercy
he will give a good end to your biusnes. It pleases God that I
continue ill with my coold, but it is, as they say, a nwe
disceas: it trubelles me much, more becaus of my being with
childe; but I hope the Lord will deale in mercy with me; and,
deare S=r=, let me haue your prayers, for I haue need of them.
Docter Barker is nowe with me. I thanke God the childeren are
all well, and Need and Robine are very glad of theire boose, and
Ned is much discontended that you come not downe. I beeg your
bllssing for
<P 6>
them all, beceaching the Allmighty to presarue you, and to giue
you a joyefull and happy meeting with your 
   Most faithfull affectinat wife, Bril. Harley. 
   I pray present my humbell duty to my father. This day theare
came a man from Ragley to feetche my cosen Hunkes to her mother,
whoo is very sike.
(^Bromton, the 8 of May, 1630.^)

<Q HAR 1633 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 6>
[} [\VIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE HUSBAND S=R= ROBERT HARLEY, KNIGHT.}]
   My deare S=r= - I pray you reseaue my thankes for your letter
by my cosen Pris, and by the carrier; they weare both very
wellcome to me, which I thinke you beleeue, for in part you know
howe deare you are to me. I ame very glad that my brother Raphe
is come to Loundoun; I hope he is nowe well. I pray you to giue
him counsell what to doo. I desire from my hoole hart that he
may grow in the feare of God, and then he will be happy. Pinner
shall send some woole to Lemster. I haue heare inclosed sent you
the aquittance of the pursevant, by which you may knowe his
name. I doo blles my good God, that you haue had so a good an
end about the presentation of Bromton. I thinke you haue doun a
very good worke, in recommending Mary Wood to my Lady Veere, to
home I hope shee will doo acceptabele sarvis. I am toold of a
gentellwoman by Docter Barker. She was bread with my old Lady
Manering. She, they say, is religious and discreet, and very
hamsome in dooing of any thinge; her name is Buckle, a
Sharpsheare woman: if you like of it, I would thinke of haueing
of her; for I haue no body aboute me, of any judgment, to doo
any thinge. My heate continueing, I sent to Docter Barker to
come and see me let bloud; he came on thursday night, and
yesterday morning I sent fore a curgen at Bischops Castell, that
let Mrs. Wallcot blud, and he pricke my arme twis, but it would
not blled; and I would not try the third time. I hope the Lord
will derect me what to doo: and for gooing abrode I will endeuor
to doo it as soune as it shall pleas
<P 7>
God to inabell me. It is a word of comfort which you rwit me,
that you hope shortly to send for your horsess. I beceache the
Lord to giue you a good and happy end to all your biusness. I
thanke God all the chillderen are well, and so is Ned Smith. Ned
and his brother present theaire humbell dutis to you; and I begg
your bllesing for them all, and your loue and prayers for my
self. I beceach the Lord to giue you a speady and happy meeting
with
   Your most affectinat wife for ever, Brilliana Harley.
   Mr. Littell, I thanke God, is well, and abell to goo a
littell abrode.
   I thanke you for my very fine wascott: by this carrier is
sent vp the clocke and dublet and houses you sent for.
(^May the 18, 1633.^)

<Q HAR 1638 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 7>
[} [\IX.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Good Need - I hope thease lines will finde you well at
Oxford. I longe to reseaue the ashurance of your comeing well to
your iournyes end. We haue had faire weather sence you went, and
I hope it was so with you, which made it more pleaseing to me.
You are now in a place of more varietyes then when you weare at
home; thearefore take heede it take not vp your thoughtes so
much as to neglect that constant saruis you owe to your God.
When I liued abroode, I tasted something of thos willes:
thearefore I may the more experimentally giue you warneing.
Remember me to your tutor, in home I hope you will finde dayly
more and more cause to love and respect. I thanke God my coolde
is something better then when you left me. I pray God blles you,
and giue you of those saueing grasess which will make you happy
heare and for ever heareafter. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley. 
(^Oct. 25, 1638.^)

<Q HAR 1638 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 14>
[} [\XV.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE, MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Good Need - This night Hall brought me your letter; but he is
so perplexed aboute the horses that he seems not to be Hall. He
was apointed by your father and meself to come downe by Oxford,
and to haue rested theare the Seboth; but the spoileing of the
horses did so distract him, that he can not say any thinge of
Oxford or Loundoun. I rwite you worde by the carrier that your
father did purpos to send to you this weake: my cosen Prisc
sending for his horsess, your father takes that opertunity to
send to your tutor. I take it for a great mercy of God, that you
haue your health; the Lord in mercy continue it to you, and be 
you carefull of your selfe: the meanes to presarufe health, is a
good diet and exersise: and, as I hope you are not wanteing in
your care for your health, so I hope you are much
<P 15>
more carefull for your soule, that that better part of yours may
growe in the wayes of knowledg. And in some proportion it is,
with the soule as with the body; theare must be a good dyet; we
must feede vpon the worde of God, which when we haue doun we
must not let it lye idell, but we must be diligent in
exersiseing of what we knowe, and the more we practes the more
we shall knowe. Deare Ned, let nothinge hinder you from
performeing constant priuet duties of prayeing and redeing.
Experimentally, I may say that priuet prayer is one of the beest
meanes to keepe the hart cloos with God. O it is a sweet thinge
to open our harts to our God, as to a frinde. If it had not bine
for that I had recours to my God sheure I should haue fainted
before this. I heare no nwes at this time from Loundoun, only
Mr. Wallker is still in prison; all my frinds theare are well,
and I thanke God all your frindes are well heare. Your father is
cheerefully well, and your brother Robert has had no fitte sence
you went. Your brother Tomas cried very much the other day,
becaus he thought howe he was vsed to fight with you at
Sheareswesbury. The Ember weake nowe drawes on a pase. I wisch
you and your tutor weare heare then; howesoeuer I hope, you will
in desires be with vs: and so our prayers, I hope, shall meete
in heauen, before the Lord. I thanke God, I am much better then
when I rwite last to you. I beceach the Lord to blles you, and
that you may be still the beloued childe of
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   I haue sent a token to Mrs. Wilkinson: it is a box. Doo not
you vndoo the boxe; but deleuer it to her, eather yourself, or
send it by Gorge Griffits. It is two cruets of chinna, with
silluer and gilt couers, and bars and feete. Doo not let the
boxe be opened before she has it. 
   I haue giuen my cosen Prisis man a great charge of the box.
If it come safe, I will giue him a reward. 
   Send me word how he bringes the box.
   In hast affter sauper.
(^Desem. 11, 1638.^)

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 19>
[} [\XVIII. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }] 
   My good Ned - I thinke it longe sence I hard from you, but my
hope is that you are well. My thoughtes are as much vpon you
now, as when you weare with me, and thearfore I must conclude,
that absence abates no loue, but that which is but a shawdow of
loue. I send this mesenger (whoo makes me beleeue he goos with a
good will) purposly to see you, and I hope, he will bringe me
the ashurance of your being well returned to Oxford. The carrier
sent me word you weare not returned on Tusday last. Your father
came well home from Heariford, on Saterday last; he was a
littell ill at Heriford, but I thanke God, he is very well nowe.
Your brother Robert has some times a fite; all the rest are
well, and I beleeue they will tell theaire owne mindes to you
themselfes. I hard of no other thinge they did at Heariford;
but, by order from the Lords, they haue made two
prouesmarchalls, to home they give +L20 pound a peace, euery
yeare, to ride well armed, and each of them a man, and to let
noe roges or idell persons wonder aboute the country; and the
depuetie liftenantes haue entertained two shoulders to
discipline all the bandes: on is taken out in your fathers
company, to be his sargent; his name is Weare; he has bine in
all theas wars in Jermany, and sarued vnder your ouncell S=r=
Tomas Conway; the others name I knowe not; and this I rwite you
word of, that you may not be ignorant of what is doune in your
owne cuntry. Your cosen Scriuen, they say, is to be a curenall,
if any troups goo vpon any saruis. He is called Curenall
Scriuen. For forane nwes, I beleeue, you haue hard that Briscake
is taken; and nowe the Curantes are lisened againe, you will
wekely see theare relations. Now, my deare Ned, howe much doo I
longe to see you, and the Lord in mercy still giue me that
comfort, that I may acounte you my beloued child, and the Lord
in mercy fille you with his gras, that so you may be louely in
His sight; and if you are beloued by the Lord, it is happines
enoufgh. None are partakers of his loue but 
<P 20>
his childeren; and he so loued them, that he gaue his sonne to
dye for them. O that we could but see the depthe of that loue of
God in Chirst to vs: then shure, loue would constraine vs to
serue the Lord, with all our harts most willingly. And this loue
of the Lord is not commen to all. Others may partake of his
mercy, as Ahab, who the Lord spared vpon his humeliation; and
they may partake of his power, as the Kinge in Samaria did, when
the Lord made plenty to flowe in the citty, affter so greate a
famine. And all his creaturs partake of his liberallity in
feeding them, and his most wise gouerning of the things heare
belowe; but none tastes of his loue but his chosen ones; and if
we be loued of the Lord, what need we care what the men of the
world thinke of vs? We in that respect, should be like a good
wife, whoo cares not, howe ill fauored all men ells thinke her,
if her husband loue her. And, my deare Ned, as this loue of the
Lord is his peculier gifte, only to his deare onse, let it be
your cheefe care to geet ashurance of that loue of God in
Christ; and, sence he has loued you, sheawe your loue to him, by
hateing that which he hates, which is sinn; and it was sin that
crucified our Lord, that so loued us that he gaue himself for
vs. My deare Ned, the eye, which I put vpon my owne soule, I put
you in minde of. Be constant in holy dutys; let publicke and
priuet goo to geather. Let not the on shoulder out the other. I
beleeue, before this, you haue reed some part of Mr. Caluin;
send me word how you like him. I haue sent you a littell purs
with some smale mony in it, all the pence I had, that you may
haue a penny to giue a power body, and a pare of gloufs; not
that I thinke you haue not better in Oxford, but that you may
some times remember her, that seldome as you out of my thoughts:
the Lord blles you.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Janu: 14, 1638.^)
   I haue sent your tutor a smale token. I can not but desire to
sheawe thankes to him, who sheawes so much loue to you. I heare
in closed send you the bookebinedrs letter from Woster, that you
may see bookes are not so cheep theare as in Oxford.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 23>
[} [\XXI.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Good Ned - The last night the gardener brought me your
letter, which was a greate refrescheing to me, for I had not
bine well satisfied, neuer sence Martaine was with you, for he
toold me, you said you weare sleeppy that morneing he came away,
and that you spake
<P 24>
very littell to him; and not heareing, as I thought, so longe
from you, made me afraide; but nowe, I thanke God for his mercy
to me, that I haue hard with comfort from you. The Lord in mercy
continue your health, and, aboue, the Lord in his rich mercy
giue you such life in Christ, that you may haue a stronge and
liuely soule, allways actife in the ways of gras. My deare Ned,
be carefull of yourself, and forget not. Doo exersise; for
health can no more be had without it, then without a good diet.
I much reioyce, and giue the Lord thankes, that M=r= Pirkins was
an instruement to bringe two in my deare brothers famerly out of
darkenes into light, and from the power of sin, vnder the sweet
regement of our Lord Christ Jesus. I am confident, your worthy
tutor reioyces in it, that he did so shine as to bringe glory to
his Lord and Master; and as the worke is begonne, and we reioyce
in it, so I desire from my soule, that the Lord would perfect
it. I begone with this, becaus I most reioyce in it; and nowe I
must tell you, I am glad my brothers howes, is so well gouered,
and that his daughter and sonne are of so good dispocions. I
pray God, add gras to it, and then it will be a sweet harmmony.
I am not sorry that euery one tells you, you are like my lord. I
haue not bine very well theas three days, and so enforsed me to
keepe my beed, as I haue doune many times, when you weare with
me. I hope, I shall be able to rise to day. My letter should
haue bine longer, had not I bine in beed. I heare my Lord Conway
is goone suddainely into Ireland, and that he has a troup of
hoors, but more of that, a nother time. Your father, I hope, is
well. He purposed to be with M=r= Vahans at Mockes, and to be at
home this night. The Lord blles you, and beleeue that I am neuer
weary in expresing meself to be, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Janu: 26, 1638.^)
   Deare Ned, - My agge is no secret; tho my brother Bray is
something mistaken in it. When I was maried to your father, your
father would haue bine asked in the chruch, but my lord would be
no means consent; what his reson was, I know not. Then they haue
a custome, that, when they fetch out the liscens, the agg of the
woman,
<P 25>
must be knowne; so that, if I would haue hide my agg, then it
must be knowne, and then I was betwne two or three and twenty. I
was not full three and twenty, but in the liscens they rwit me
three and twenty, and you knowe how longe I haue bine maried,
for you know how old you are, and you weare borne when I had
bine maried a yeare and 3 months. 
   My brother Bray has bine a maried man ever since I can
remember, and I neuer had much aquentance with him, but I knwe
he was my brother, and so I could not be a stranger to him, and
he is a very good man.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 30>
[} [\XXV.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My good Ned - The Lord in mercy blles you, and giue you
interest in his sonne Christ, and such a measure of holyness,
that you may liue heare like his child. It is my comfort, that
you inioye your health, and I beceach the Lord, to continue that
mercy to you. I perswade meself you are carefull to improufe
your time; this is your time of haruest, and that time being
ouer-slipt, it cannot be recalled. I am glad to heare you are
cheerefull. Inioy that bllesing, when God giues it you, for
cheerefullness of spirit giues more freedome in the performeance
of any duety. I hope, as you doo, that the nwes of so many being
masacred is not true; the great God of heawen and earth looke in
mercy vpon his poore peopell. It is reported, from all parts,
the french haue a very great army. I can not thinke yet, that
the french would take this time to come into Ingland, when we
stand vpon our garde and such preperations for wars. And the
report is, that theare goos 30000 fooute and 10000 hoors with
the king to Yorke; so that a forieng enimye could not come in a
time more disaduantages to him. But if we fight with Scotland,
and are ingaged in that ware, then a foren enimy may take his
time of aduantage. The caus is the Lords; and He will worke, for
his owne glory. Deare Ned, you may remember I haue offten spoke
to you aboute theas times; and my deare Ned, would I weare with
you one day, to open my minde more largly than I can by
rwriteing. They call to super, thearefore I must hasten my
letter, but first I must tell you, I haue sent you by the
carrier a boxe, derected to you, in which is a turky
<P 31>
pye and 6 pyes, such as my lord, your grandfather did loue. I
hope to remember you againe in lent. Send me word, wheather you
reseaue them, and wheather they be good. Mr. Simons is very ill
and very weake. I wisch his wife be not a widowe againe. For Mr.
Walcotes sake, I will perswade them to send theare sonne to your
tutor: but Mr. Cradock is the only man that preuails with them.
I thanke God, your Father is well, and so is your brothers and
sisters, with Ned Smith: so in hast, I rest,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Pheb: 15, 1638.^)
   I haue sent your tutor a box of dryed plumes, the box is
derected to you; tell him it is a Lenten token. Remember my
saruis to him. 

<Q HAR 1638 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 33>
[} [\XXVII.\] }] 
[}FOR S=R= ROBERT HARLEY, KINGHT OF THE BATH.}]
   My deare S=r=, - This is only to let you knowe, we are all
well, which I had rather tell you, then send the bare message by
another. I blless God, that you are well; and hope the Lord,
will giue you a safe returne home to morrow, wheare you are
longed for. Nowe the Lord in mercy presarue you from all that is
euile; desireing still to be beloued by you, as
   Your most affectinat wife, Brilliana Harley.
(^Mar: 12, 1638.^)

<Q HAR 1638 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 33>
[} [\XXVIII.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, OXFORD.}]
   My good Ned - The last weake being not well, I could not
inioye this contentment of rwiteing to you. You may remember,
that when you weare at home, I was offten enforsed to keepe my
beed; it pleases God, it is so with me still, and when I haue
thos indispotions, it makes me ill for some time affterwards. It
is the hand of my gratious God; and tho it be sharp, yet when I
looke at the will of God in it, it is sweetned to me: for to me,
theare is nothing can sweeten any condistion to vs, in this
life, but as we looke at God in it, and see ourselfs his
saruants in that condistion in which we are. Thearefore when I
consider my owne afflictions, they are not so bitter, when I
looke at the will of my God in it. He is pleased it should be
so, and then, should not I be pleased it should be so? And I
hope, the Lord will giue me a hart still to waite vpon my God;
and I hope the Lord will looke gratiously vpon me. 
<P 34>
And my dearest, beleeue this from mee, that theare is no
sweetnes in any thinge in this life to be compared to the
sweetnes in the saruis of our God, and this I thanke God, I cane
say, not only to agree with thos that say so, but
experimentally; I haue had health and frinds and company in
variety, and theare was a time, that what could I have saide I
wanted; yet in all that theare was a trubell, and that which
gaue me peace, was sarueing of my God, and not the saruis of the
world. And I haue had a time of siknes, and weakenes, and the
loose of frinds, and as I may say, the glideing away of all thos
things I tooke most comfort in, in this life. If I should now
say (which I may booldly) that, in this condistion, O howe sweet
did I finde the loue of my God, and the endeuor, to walke in his
ways; it may be, some may say, then it must needs be so, becaus
all other comforts failed me; but my deare Ned I must lay both
my condistions togeather; my time of freedome from afflictions,
and my time of afflictions; and in the one, I found a sweetnes
in the saruis of God, aboue the sweetnes of the things in this
life, and in trubele a sweetnes in the saruis of God, which
tooke away the bitternes of the affliction; and this I tell you,
that you may beleeue howe good the Lord is, and beleeue it, as a
tryed truth, the saruis of the Lord, is more sweet, more
peaceabell, more delightful, then the enioyeing of all the
vadeing pleashurs of the world. My deare Ned, I thanke you for
your letter by the carrier this wake. Howe soeuer trubells may
befall me, yet if it be well with you, I reioyce. I thanke God,
that you injoy your health. The Lord in mercy continue it to
you. My deare Ned, I longe to see you; but I feare it will not
be a great whille. I know not well when the Acte is, and I
thinke I must not looke to see you tell the Act be past.
Whensoeuer it is, I beceach the Lord, giue vs a happy seeing on
of another. I am sorry my lady Corbet takes no more care of her
chilederen. S=r= Andwe Corbet left two thousand pounds a year.
Shee has a way that I should not take, by my good will with my
chillderen, without it weare to correct some great fallt in
them; but my deare Ned, as longe as it pleases God, I haue it, I
<P 35>
shall willingly giue what is in my power, for the beest
adwantage of you, and your brothers and sisters, as ocation
offers itself. Vse your cosen Corbet kindely. I heare his
broother goos alonge with the kinge to Yorke, which he dous,
becaus he estemes it to be the gallentry of a yonge man. I sent
you the last weake a list of thos shoulders, which they say must
goo with the kinge. I heare that the Loundoners haue refused to
send any of theare trained band, answering, theare weare so many
strangers in Loundon, that they feared to let any of theare
strentg goo from them. I hard that the kinge caused all the
strangers to be numbered in Loundon, and the number of them was
two hundred thousand. On wenday last your father had some of his
shoulders at Brometon, whean they dyned, and spent the day in
trayneing. I wisched you with me, but I did not see them, for
then I was not abell to goo out of my chamber: but now I thanke
God, I am, and haue some thoughts, if pleas God, to goo to
chruch the next Lords day. Good Mr. Gower has an ague. Mr.
Simons begins to mend. My cosen Prise is something better. You
forget to rwit to Mr. Gower; he has had 4 fitts. Mr. Simons
tooke your letter very kindely. I must needs say, I neuer had
any maide that profest more respect to you, than Mary Barton,
and I beleeue it is in truth; for shee is her fathers daughter
and can not desembell. I finde her as good a saruant as euer I
had; if I coould but put a littell water in her wine, and make
her temper her hastiness! yet I cannot say that euer shee gaue
me any ill word, but theare is still the spirit of enuy
raingeing amongest some of the saruants, but the humers of my
saruants swaye not my affection, and, I hope, shall neuer
blinde my judgment: my deare Ned the Lord blles you.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^in hast, Mar: 22, 1638.^)
   Your brothers and sisters and cosen Smith I thanke God are
well. 
   Tell Gorg Griffets I had not time to rwit to him, which I did
desire to haue doun. I haue sent him the mony for M=r= Neelham,
the
<P 36>
drawer, and I would haue him hasten the sending of the peace of
cloth, which he had to drawe. I hope Gorge will bide his
countryman wellcome. I had him into my chamber to see him,
becaus he went to Oxford. I like it very well, that you goo with
your tutor to my brother Brays. I beceach the Lord to goo alonge
with you, in all your ways. 
   Heare inclosed is a booke of nwes. Your father I thanke God
is well. He goos and pleas God on Tuesday to the bischops upon a
commistion aboute some land that is in question betwne the
bischop and another gentellman.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 39>
[} [\XXXI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDELINE HALLE,
OXFORD.}]
   Deare Ned - Theare is no earthly thinge that is of more
comefort to me than your being well, thearefore you may easely
beleeue your letters are sweet comforts to me, and so was your
letter this weake. I blles my God that you haue your health, and
the Lord in mercy continue that comfort to you and me. My deare
Ned, I should be exceeding glad, if your tutor would be willing
to let you come home at Whitesuntide; if he will but say the
word, I beleeue all partyes would agree; but then I thinke you
would desire to goo to the Act, and that would be to much for
you; for I desire if pleas the Lord, to haue you at home the
longe vacation as they call it. My deare Ned, let me knowe your
minde, wheather you are willing, and wheather 
<P 40>
your tutor be so too, but so that he will be pleased to spend
some time with vs at Bromtone. As they doo at Oxford, so they
doo in all places, take liberty to inuaye against Puretans. We
heare the Scothes haue taken the posestion of the kings howes in
Eddenboro. Shure this somer is likely to produce greate matters.
The Lord sheawe mercy vpon his poor saruants. I hard the queene
as soune as the knige left Loundon to goo towards Yorke, went to
her beed with much sorrow. 
   I rwite to you on wensday last by the gardner, but it was in
such hast that I beleue you could hardly reede it. I rwit you
word your cosen Prise had made your father and my cosen Smith
his excexotors, and thus he has disposed of his estate; they say
his land is worth 300 a yare; he owes 2 thousand and 5 hundered
pound and some say 3 hunderd pound more. He has giuen to his two
sisters chillderen, 12 hundred pounds, and to his brother, 30
pounds a yare anwety; this will he made when he was last at
Loundon, and brought it your father, maneing that if any thinge
did a rise aboue his deets and leggessess, it should come to his
excexetors. 
   Remember my saruis to worthy M=r= Perkins, and let him knowe,
the mony shall be sent with all expedition: the sikenes of his
scoller is as I aprehinde it, a happy sikenes; for for the most
part we are all rather to senceles, then to aprehencif of the
condistion of the state of our soules. I thanke God, your father
is indiferent well, he dous not keepe his chamber. Doctor
Deodate is not yet come, but I beleeue, he will come this night.
My deare Ned, I thanke you for hopeing with me, that I should
haue my desire in gooing to chruch, which I thanke God, I did
two saboths, and I hope the Lord will giue me that mercy this
next saboth. I thanke God, your brother Robert has his health
well, and so has the rest; some of the sarwants haue agues, but
not very violently. Good M=r= Simons has his ague euery day and
many fairt his life. I haue toold you if you remember of a paper
that some statemen make use of, when they would not haue knowne
what they riwit of. Rwite me worde wheather you vnderstand what
I meane. I pray God blles you and fill you
<P 41>
with gras, that sauefeing gras which will neuer leaufe you. I
haue not yet reseaufed your letter by Mr. Hackleut, but I hope I
shall; so I rest 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^April 5, 1639.^)
   I thanke you for the booke you sent, but yet I nor your
father heau not reed any of it. 
   Heare incloesed is the key of your box, with a token from
your sisters. I should be exceeding glad to see my brother Bray
and my sister.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 43>
[} [\XXXIV.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, AT MAGDELIN HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   My deare Ned - I haue two letters to thanke you for, on by
the
<P 44>
carrier and on by the gardner; the gardner came not to Bromton
tell wensday last; he says he was sike by the way, but I beleeue
this has loost his creedet for gooing any more journys. My deare
Ned, it is my joy that you are well, and I beceach the Lord in
mercy to continue this bllesing of health to you, but aboue all,
I desire you may haue that true health in your soule of a sounde
minde, that so in theas days of wafereing and douteing you may
hoold the truth. I was not well pleased that I did not keepe my
woord in sending to you this weake. I hope the next weake your
father will send, and thearefore I only rwite theas feawe lines
by the carrier to let you knowe I haue sent you a pigon pye; and
much good may it doo you when you eate it. Your father returned
from the bischops this night. I thanke God he is well: he prays
God to bless you, and so dous
   Your affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Apr. 19, 1639^)
   Remember my saruis to your worthy tutor.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 51>
[} [\XL.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - This mornig, with no smale contentment, I reseued
your letter by the carrier; it is my joy that you are well, and
I beceach the Lord to continue your health to you; and, my deare
Ned, be carefull to doo exersis. I did beleue that you did
forget to send the letter which you rwite me word of, but now I
haue reseued it, and thanke you for it. It is strang to me how
fasting and prayer can agree with treacherous weapons, as
kinifes and such like; thearefore, for my part, I will vnbeleeue
the one of them, eather that they doo not fast and pray, or that
they doo not make prouition of such wepons. Theare was a report
that the kinge was goone to Loundoun, which came to his eare, at
which he was much displeased. I hard that marquise Hamlenton was
gone with 7000 men to land them in Scotland. Captaine
Brandsheave is gouerner 
<P 52>
of Barek. My deare Ned, theas things are of the Lord, and as
none thought of such a biusnes as this is, so we are as ignorant
whate the issue will be: the Lord giue vs harts of depentances
vpon him. 
   Haueing bine offtin not well, and confined to so sollatary a
place as my beed, I made choys of an entertainement for meself,
which might be eassy and of some benifit to meself; in which I
made choys to reade the life of Luther, rwite by Mr. Calluen. I
did the more willingly reade it, becaus he is generally branded
with ambistion, which caused him to doo what he did, and that
the papis doo so generally obrade us that we cannot tell wheare
our religion was before Luther; and some haue taxt him of an
imteperat life. Theas resons made me desire to reade his life,
to see vpon what growned theas opinions weare biult; and finding
such satisfaction to meself, how fallsly theas weare raised, I
put it into Inglisch, and heare in closed haue sent it you; it
is not all his life, for I put no more into Inglisch then was
not in the booke of Marters. 
   Theas things of note I finde in it, firstly, what Luther
acknowledgs, he was instructed in the truth by an old man, whoo
led him to the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ: and
Erasmas, when his opinion was asked of Luther, said he was in
the right. It is true the truth was much obscured with error;
and then it pleased the Lord to rais up Luther as a trumpet to
proclame His truth, and as a standered barare to hoold out the
ensinge of His truth; which did but make thos to apeare of the
Lords side, whoo weare so before. And it is aparent to me, that
no ambistious ends moued Luther; for in all the cours of his
life he neuer sheawed ambistion: tho he loued lerneing, yet, as
fare as I can obsarue, he neuer affected to be estemed more
lerned than he was. So that in Luther we see our owne fasess;
they that stand for the old truee way they bring vp nwe
doctriner, and it is ambistion, vnder the vaile of religion.
Another obseruation I finde in Luther, that all his fasting and
striknes, in the way of Popery, neuer gaue him peace of
concience; for he had greate feares tell he had throughly
learned the doctrine of justification by Christ alone; and so it
will be with vs all; no
<P 53>
peace shall we haue in our owne righteousness. And one thinge
more I must tell you, that I am not of theaire minde whoo
thinke, if he had bine of a milder temper it had bine better;
and so Erasmas says; but I thinke no other spirit could haue
sarued his turne. He was to cry aloude, like a trumpet; he was
to haue a Jonas spirit. Thus, my deare Ned, you may see how
willingly I impart any thinge to you, in which I finde any good.
I may truely say, I neuer inioy any thinge that is good but
presently my thoughts reflect vpon you; but if any thinge that
is euill befall me, I would willing beare it all me self, and so
willingly would I beare the ill you should haue, and reioyce
that you should inioy what is good. Your father is now at
Hariford; I hope he will be at home to morrow. Your brothers are
well, and so as your sistwers and cosen Smith. Mr. Simons is
recouered, and teaches the scoule againe. Mr. Gowers ague hangs
a littell vpon him. My deare Ned, I knowe you doo not loue
medicines, yet I would faine haue you drinke, this May, some
scuruigras pounded and strained with beare, if theare be any to
be had in Oxford; it is a most excelent thinge to purge the
blood. 
   My deare Ned, the Lord in heauen blles you, and giue me a
comfortabell seeing of you. So I rest, in hast,
   Your most affectinat Mother, Brilliana Harley.
   Remember my saruis to your worthy tutor. Tell Gorg his mother
is looked for at Bromton to night. His brother is goone to
Teuxbery; I beleeue you knowe his biusness.
(^May 10, 1639.^)
   I haue made a pye to send you; it is a kide pye. I beleeue
you haue not that meate ordinaryly at Oxford; on halfe of the
pye is seasned with on kinde of seasening, and the other with
another. I thinke to send it by this carrier. 

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 60>
[} [\XLVI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDELINE HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   Deare Ned - I rwite to you yesterday, and I beleeue to many
others I should haue aleaged that, as an excuse for not rwiteing
at this time, yet I cannot give meself leaufe to do so to you,
but willingly I vse a kinde of violence to my other ocations, in
takeing time to rwite to you, sence I cannot haue the
contentment in speaking to you. I reseued your letter by the
carrier this morning, so that Moene is now in request againe. 
   I blles God that you are well, and my deare Ned, be carefull
of yourself; be carefull of the health of your body for my sake;
and aboue all, be carefull of the health of your soule for your
owne and my sake; and as to the body, thos things doo most hart
which are of a deadly quallity as poyson, so nothing harts the
soule like that
<P 61>
deadly poyson of sinn; thearefor, my dearest, be wacthfull
against thos great and suttile and vigilent enimys of your
presious soule. I beleeue you knowe that one of the best parts
of a soulder is to stand vpon his garde, and his greatest shame
(next to runeing away) not to be found so; so is it in our
spirituall warefare; if Sathen surprise vs, he takes vs at his
will, and if we turne our bakes and rune away, O! he will persue
tell we be taken. My deare Ned, I beleeue you are confident that
you are most deare to me, thearefore thinke it not strange, if I
am stuedious and carefull that your peace should be keept with
your God, whous fauor is better then life. I longe to see you,
and I hope I shall doo it shortly. I hope before this, you haue
reseued your hate and stokens, but Burigh is something ngligent.
Your father is, I thanke God, well; he is ride abroode. In hast,
I giue you this ascurance that I am 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Bromton, July 5, 1639.^)
   Remember my loue to your worthy tutor. I should haue rwit to
Gorg, but I haue not time. Your father has diuers times sence
you went asked for strawbery butter, and in memory of you this
day I made Hacklet make some. I wisch you a disch of it.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 64>
[} [\XLIX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - My cosen Adams returne from Woster was very
wellcome to me, becaus he aschured me of your comeing well so
fare on your journy, and I trust the same gratious Prouidence
brought you to your journis end. Your letter was very wellcome
to me, for, my deare Ned, I cannot but say that I inioy meself
with more comfort when you are with me, and next seeing you, to
heare from you is most pleasing to me. Heare has bine strangers
euer since you went, and on M=r= Acton came apurpos to see you.
He was of the same howes you are of, but left it that yeare you
came theather. I
<P 65>
like him as well as any yonge jentellman I haue seene a greate
while. 
   I thanke God your father is well, and this day gone ahunting,
and your brothers with him, it being procured with much
dificullty from M=r= Simons. 
   My deare Ned, the Lord blles you and giue you that heauenly
wisdome to remember your Creator in the days of your youth, that
you may sarufe your God with an vpright hart, and the Lord in
mercy teach you to profet in all the ways of wisdome, and leade
you in the way in which you should walke. My deare Ned, omite
not priuet dutyes, and stire vp your self to exercise yourself
in holy conference, begg of God to giue you a delight in
speaking and thinkeing of thos thinges which are your eternall
treasure. I many times thinke Godly conference is as much
neglected by Gods chillderen, as any duty. I am confident you
will noways neglect the opertunity of profeting in the ways of
lerning, and I pray God prosper your endeuors. My deare Ned, my
thoughts weare filled with other obiects that morning you went
away, which made me forget to giue you directions about the
stufe I spake to you of; but I gaue Ions a pettren of what kinde
of stufe I would haue; but I did not tell him any thinge ells;
and I beleue he had not wite to conseafe my meaneing, that you
should chus the culler. 
   Remember my loue to your worthy tutor, and still beleeue that
I much reioyce when I can expres meself to be 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   My cosen Dauis presents her saruis to you.
(^Octo: 18. 1639^.)
   I would have you send this inclosed letter as soune as you
can to S=r= Gilles Bray, but by a safe hand. 
   I haue sent you a baskett of Stoken apells; theare are 4 or 5
of another kinde. I hope you will not dispice them, comeing from
a frinde, tho they are not to be compared to Oxford appells. 
   In the basket with the appells is "the Returne of Prayer." I
could
<P 66>
not find the place I spake of to your tutor, when he was with
me; but since, I found it, and haue sent the booke to you, that
he may see it, and judg a littell of it; for my part, I am not
of that openion, that God will not grant the prayer of others,
for the want of our joyeing with the rest, or that God dous
stand vpon such a number; but I am not perrentory, but upon good
reson I hope I shall yeald: but this I thinke and beleeue, that
none joyne in prayer with others but thos that simpathise on
with another; for it is not the consenting to, but the ernest
desireing of the same.

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 68>
[} [\LII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - S=r= Richard Newport is pleased to doo me the
honnor to conuaie this letter to you, and Ihope you will haue
the aduantag of waiteing vpon him; and I can not but acounte it
an aduantage to be in the presence of such a man.
   I pray God blles you, and giue you a hart to be in loue with
thos ways of wisdome, which will make you for euer happy. 
   Your brothers and sisters are well.
   So in hast I rest
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Oct. 31, 1639. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1639 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 75>
[} [\LVIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDELINE HALL,
OXFORD}]
   Deare Ned - With much contentment I haue reseued this weakes
letter from you. I acknowledg the Lords mercy to me in the
continuance of your health, which is a joy to me in the midest
of many ocations of sorrow; and I beceach the Lord I may still
haue that refreschment to see it goo well with you, and to see
it best with your better part, so that you may euery day more
and more aproufe yourself, not only a branch but a member of
Christ. 
   I much reioyce in the hope of seeing you, but I trust I shall
haue more joy in seeing you. I am glad your worthy tutor will
come with you, by which I see, he is not an obstinate man. A
pare of rideing stokens I haue prouided for you, which I purpos,
if pleas God, to send you by the horses that shall be sent for
you; and knoweing your tutors minde for a hors and saddell, I
will endeuor to haue him fitted, that tho the ways may be fooule
yet his seate may be eassy. I rwit you word that my lord
admarall was spoken to, but that would not doo, but it was my
lord depuety of Irland that preuailed to geet your father off
from being sherefe. Thinges goo wors in Scotland then euer they
did, and it is said theare will be wars; for my part I did
allways doute that that buisnes would not so end as many others
thought; neaither am I now of theare mindes, that that kingdome
will eassely be subdued. The Lord in mercy inabell all His
childeren to fixe theare eyes on Him, that so, trusting in the
Lord, we may neuer be dismayed. It is thought that such a number
of Scote minesters will not be suffred to goo out of Scotland.
   The prince elector is put in prison in France; into the same
prison wheare princ Casemere is, and Jhon de Wart. It is thought
the prince elector will not be seet at liberty; it was fitte he
should goo vnknowne; he did disguise himself, but went with such
a traine that he could not but be inquired affter. Thus we see,
my deare
<P 76>
Ned, all condistions are liabell to misery; and the greater the
person is, the greater is the misery; so that honnor dous but
enhanse pouerty, or shame or imprisonment: yet man is so
forgetfull of his God, that all, and most of all great men, liue
in prosperity as if they weare lords of what they had,
forgetting that they are but tennants at will. 
   Your father has promised Mr. Simons +L110 for his howes,
which is as much as he gaue for it, and now he has had it two
years, so that now he is no louser. 
   Mr. Blineman is goone from Walcot. 
   I thanke God your father is well, and I am now abell to be
out of beed. I haue not bine so well for aboue this weake as I
use to be, and with it I haue been trubled with much heauiness
at my hart. I thanke God your brothers and sisters and your
cosen Smith are well. Deare Ned, if theare be any good lookeing
glasses in Oxford, shuse me one aboute the biggnes of that I use
to drees me in, if you remember it. I put it to your choys,
becaus I thinke you will chuse one, that will make a true ansure
to onse face. 
   All my frute disches are brocken; thearefore, good Ned, if
theare be any shuch blwe and white disches as I vse to haue for
frute, bye me some; they are not purslane, nor they are not of
the ordinary mettell of blwe and white disches. I beleeue you
remember what I vse to haue; if you chuse them against the
horses come for you, I will take order with the men about the
bringeing of them home, and will send mony to pay for them. I
see your sister has a nwe hude; it semes shee lost hers and
durst not tell, and so, as I gees, rwit to you for one, which I
will pay you for. I haue sent you my wacth, and I beleeue it may
be mended. I doo willingly giue you the rige of goold that was
aboute the agget. 
   I am hartely sorry for the death of M=r= Knightly. I heare my
lady Wesmorland is brought to beed of a daughter. My lady Veere
was with her, and I thinke shee is so still. 
   I did thinke your father would haue sent mony by Miller; it
<P 77>
seemes it was forget, but he indends to doo it by the men that
goo for you. 
   Remember my loue to your tutor, to home I wisch the frueition
of all happines. 
   I hope to see him, and thearefore I doo not rwit to him. 
   My deare Ned, the Lord blles you and giude you in all your
thoughts words and actions, that you may still looke vpon them
as seeing the ways of an vpright hart. So I rest
   Your affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Noue: 29, 1639. Bromton Castell.^)
   My Lord rwit word this weake that he thought he should not
goo this yeare to Louddington.
   I would haue 6 frute disches.

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 80>
[} [\LXII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDALENE HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   My dear Ned - Yesterday I reseued your letter by my cosen
Dauis, and this day yours by the carrier, both weare very
wellcome to me, and I desire to acknowledg Gods mercy to me,
that you inioy your health, which I pray God you long doo, with
a hart desirous to spend all your strentgh and health to the
glory of your God. 
   My deare Ned, I thanke you for your ernest desire for my
health. I am, I think, better for your prayers. I did not send
for doctor [^BLANK IN THE TEXT^] to take phisick, for I thanke
God I was not sike, but I knwe I had need of cordialls, and thos
I toucke of doctor Deodate and not of Doctor Rwit. I thanke God
I am now abell to site up a littell. This day I sate vp out of
my beed allmost an ower. I should be glad to haue you with me,
since I can let your thoughts run with me. I did not thinke I
had bine with child when you weare with me. The Lord blles you,
and make you still a comfort to
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Pheb. 8. 1639. Bromton.^)
   Your father, brothers and sisters are well. 
   Remember my saruis to y=r= worthy tutor, whoo I hope
remembers me in his prayers, for I doo him in mine.

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 82>
[} [\LXV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDILINE HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   Deare Ned - This morning I reseued your letter, I thanke you
for it, and I much reioyce that you are well. Miller toold me
that you did cut your wood for exercise, which I am glad of, but
your father would not haue you cut but sawe your wood. I tell
him, I thinke you doo saw it. Your father tooke some coold,
which made him ill sence Miller went, but now I thanke God, he
is well agayne and abroode. For meself, my dear Ned, I am still
weake, and, I thinke, allmost as weake as affter lyeing in of
any of my chillderen, but your sister Dorrity; yester I was vp a
littell. I haue sent you a gammon of backen by this carrier, and
a Lenten tocken of dried sweetmeats for your tutor, but it is
directed to you; if I had bine well I had sent you a larger
prouition for Lent. I hard that theare weare 500 
<P 83>
men sent to Barwicke. I pray God direct them what to doo. The
Lord blless you and presarue you in His feare. Deare Ned, be
carefull of your self, and beleeue that I am, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley. 
(^Phe: 20, 1639.^)
   Remember me to worthy M=r= Pirkins. 
   I haue sent the water for Elsabethe Stanton, she may take 2
or 3 spounefulls at a time, shee should take it as soune as shee
finds any inclination to a fite; the best way to take it is with
2 or 3 spounfulls of parseley water.
   The dried appells are for you. 
   Sam Pinner waits on your brothers, and I think Blechly goos
away; your father dous not like her.

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 87>
[} [\LXX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDELIN HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   Deare Ned - This morning I reseued your letter, and I thanke
you for it; for sence I cannot see you, I gladly entertaine your
letters. I much reioyce that in all places they are so carefull
to chues worthy men for so greate a buisnes, as the parlament. 
   I rwit you word the last weake, that your father and S=r=
Waltr Pye weare chosen for HerifordScheere, and that your father
would not haue you goo out of Oxford, becaus he purposes to goo
to Loundon shortly. I thinke he will goo the weake before Ester.
On tusday next, if pleas God, your father will keep a day; I
beleeue you vnderstand what day I meane. Mr. Moore and S=r=
Robert Howard are chosen for Bischops Castell. This weake I hard
from my sister Pelham; I thanke God shee is well. But I am sorry
that they haue made choys of a tutor for theare sonne in
Magdeline coledg; it is on Mr. Rogers. As sonne as his ouncell
has prouided 
<P 88>
him a chamber he is to come to Oxford. Your father did not goo
this weake to the assises, becaus of his many buisnescess; this
day he is gone to Loudlow. I thanke God he is indeferent well.
Your brothers and sisters are well. Remember me to your worthy
tutor; and I pray God blles you, and make you still a comfort to
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Mar: 20, 1639. Bromton Castel.^)
   Tell Gorg Griffits that his father and mother are well. I
hard from them the last night.
   I thanke God I begin to rise agane out of my beed.

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 89>
[} [\LXXIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDELINE HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   My Deare Ned - Sence I can not see you, I am glad of theas
opertunitys by which I may let you know my thoughts are offten
with you; your father being from me, I haue not much company to
take pleashure in, but this is a Chirstians comfort, that God is
all ways with them. I should be glad to heare from you a
relation how the king went to parlament, and at what ease you
hard his 
<P 90>
speche; for I did feare theare would be a great crowde, which
made me desire your father not to be theare. I heare your father
had a fitt of the pastion of the hart, the day before yow went
from Loundon. I beceach the Lord presaruef him from them. Heare
is great presing. M=r= Harberd is goon with his trop of hors; on
of his soulders killed a man in Shearsbury, but they say he was
prouocked to it. They are gallant and merry. The trained band is
thought must goo, or ells prouid men to goo in theiare places. I
can not yet heare for sartaine wheare theair randeuous is. 
   I haue sent you by Loocker some violet cakes. Deare Ned, be
carefull of your self, especially be wacthfull ouer your hart.
   Edward Piners chillderens beed was seet on fier, and it was
Gods mercy they had not bine smothered. Piner in puting of it
out, haueing none to healp him but Pheebe, whoo is with his
wife, tooke coold, for he was in his shirt, and the smoke
allmost tooke away his breath, that he is very ill, and I feare
has a feauor; it was on firer on wensday night; they rang the
bell, which feared all my howes. I pray God to blles you.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Apri: 25, 164 . Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 93>
[} [\LXXVI. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }] 
   [\ENDORSED,\] "For your deare selfe."
   My deare Ned - I thanke you for your letter this weake by the
carrier; beleeue it, your lines are sweetly wellcome to me; it
is my joy that you are well; the Lord in mercy presarufe you in
health both of body and mind. 
   I much desire to see you, and thearefore I haue rwit to your
father, to desire him to giue you leafe to come home at
Whitsontide. 
   I thanke you for imparting to me what you know of the
parlament, and I will requite you with what I knowe. Theas which
I send you I had from my cosen Goowdine; you may keepe them, for
I had them rwit out for you. Edward Piner begins to goo abrood.
Your brothers and sisters are well. I am not yet out of my beed.
Remember me to your tutor.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^May 8, 1640.^)

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 99>
[} [\LXXXII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, IN MAGDILINE HALL,
OXFORD.}]
   Deare Ned - I believe you doo as willing reseafe my letters
as I rwit them, which makes me willingly to take all oportunitys
to give you aschurance I am nowaye vnmindful of you. Your father
has fully agreed with my cosen Vahan and her sister, whoo went
from heance this morning, and about that biuesnes he now sends
to Loundon; so that this bearer is to rest at Oxford, on the
fast. We heare a confidente report that the kinge is agreed with
the Scoths, and I hope it is true. Your father, I thanke God, is
well. I have resued the booke you sent me, and thanke you for
it. I beleeue I shall like it well, for the subiet is very
needfull to be knowne, and the aughter of it, is of judgment,
thearefore I beleeue he has doun it well. The wellknoweing how
fure our pastions are good and how fure euill, and the right way
to goworne them is dificule; and in my obseruation I see but
feawe, that are stutidious to gouerne theaire pastions, and it
is our pastions that trubells our selfs and others. 
   Deare Ned, I longe to see you, and I hope I shall with
comfort. Mr. Salawewell is with your father. The Lord in mercy
fitt you and us for the day of fast, and I hope Mr. Gower will
preach at Oxford. Mr. Heath will be at Bromton on the fast. I
looke that Mr. Pirkins should rwite to me when he will let you
come home. 
<P 100>
I pray God blles you and fill you with gras, which is the best
riches. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^July 4, 1640. Bromton Castell.^)
   Remember my loue to your worthy tutor. The messenger is not
yet returned out of Linconscheer.

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 103>
[} [\LXXXVIII.\] }] 
[}TO MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I thanke you for your letter from Mr.
Sallwells. I much reioyce that you so well endured so fare of
the iourney, and I hope my God safe prouidence has brought you
to London: my hart is much with you, and I desire to haue it
much with my God, for you. It is my comfort that you desire to
submite your self to the dispos of our gratious God; His way is
best; and the Lord in mercy giue you allways the eye of faith to
see it is so.
   Deare Ned, be carefull of your self, and let me know how it
is with you. Mr. Gower came home last night late and weet; and I
feare your father and you had a weet day of it. I heare that
parlament is ajourned for 10 days, but I defer my beleefe. I
haue not bine yet out of my beed, but I thanke God I am
indeferent well;
<P 104>
your brothers and sisters are well. I beceach the Lord to blles
you and keepe you safe, under His holy protection; so I rest
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Noue: 30, 1640. Bromton Castell.^) 
   Your truncke is sent to Oxford.

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 109>
[} [\XCIV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I thanke you for your letter this weake; I
reseued it not tell this morning, and then it was wellcome. I
thought at the first I had no letter from you, becaus yours had
no shuperscription; but I was well pleased to be so disceaued.
It is a great comfort to me to hear the parlament goos on so
happily, and that the kinge has consented that the insendereis
should be judged. M=r= Braughton is now at Bromton, and I
beleefe, if Mr. Tomkins be not burges for Webly, he will on
munday: Mr. Gower purposes to goo to Heereford, to consult
aboute the scandolous ministers, and thos places which haue
none. I am glad theare is likly to be so good a corespondency
betwne us and the Duch. I am glad to heare my lord is well, but
I haue not hard from him yet. Theare is a very fine discours
rwiten in Italien, but translated in to Latine; it is dedicated
to Oxsensterne, he that was tresure to the king of Sweden; if
the book desarfe the comendation I could wisch you did reade it,
but I can not send you the titell of the booke. I thanke God
your brothers and sisters are very well. I pray God blles you,
and keepe your hart aboue all the thinges in this life; so I
rest, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Janu: 9, 1640 Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 113>
[} [\C.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - I hope M=r= Gower will finde you with your
father, wheare I am glad to haue you be, and I hope your father
will not let you goe from him. I hope your father will hasten
M=r= Gower downe againe. I heare my cosen Vahan would not put
his hand to the petion, nor did not geet any hands. Deare Ned,
send me word wheather thos that haue put in the petions against
bis: haue taken the hands of all such as doo not vnderstand what
they haue put 
<P 114>
theaire hands to. I am toold that it is the way in all cuntrys,
and that M=r= Macworths gaue such derections. To me it dous not
sound reasnabell; for, in my opinion, such hands should be taken
as vnderstand it, and will stand to what thay haue doun. 
   I heare my Lord Straford is aquesused of most abominabel
maters, but I haue not hard any particulars. I had a letter from
my cosen Harry Pelham, in which he dous much commend you. I
beleefe you finde him to sauer more of religion than his brother
Hurberd. I am glad my brother is not goon to the army, and that
my cosen Farfex has the honner of knightwood added to him. My
lady Veere rwit me word, that shee was glad that you weare with
your father, for shee thought it would be an aduantage to you. 
   I hope the Lord will still gooalonge with the parlament, and
tho wicked men wacth for theaire failleing, that they shallbe
disaponted. 
   I blles God that you finde yourself well; I beceach the Lord
to continue your health, and aboue all, that you may inioy a
sound judgment, an vpright hart, large affectionons to your God,
which is the true health of the minde. Deare Ned, be carefull of
yourself, and the more for my sake. 
   Rwit me word what imployment your father puts Gorge Griffits
brother to, which M=r= Griffits toold me he sent vp the last
weake to your father. I haue heare inclosed sent you 11=sh= for
the glases you sent me downe; they are very good and came very
well to me. 
   I thanke God my coold is much better then it was, and I hope
gooing away.
   I am now out of my beed; this is the first day. I pray God
blles you. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Pheb: 15, 1640. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1640 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 116>
[} [\CIII. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }]
   Deare Ned - I haue reseued your letter by my cosen Dauis; it
was wellcome tho it was short. My cosen Dauis telles me, your
father is very well and that you are so, which is a great
comfort to me; and I hope that the Lord will giue your father
dubell strentgh, to vndergoo the waight of thos imployments
which lye vpon him. And I hope you will not repent your being at
Loundoun with your father, which I gees will be more aduantage
to you, then if you had bine at Oxford.
<P 117>
   My cosen Dauis is not cleere yet in his biusnes; for M=r=
Edwards will not out; he slites what they say; and says M=r=
Dauis goos about like a premouter. He says, he would be sent for
vp to Loundoun, that he may informe the parlament with what
vntruths my cosen Dauis has toold them. I never hard of a man
that was not out of his sences, that was so careles to doo like
a resnabell man, as M=r= Edwards is; he seames to let himself
loose to be led by his pastions. I hope my cosen Dauis makes a
ronge judgment; for he thinkes my lord Straford will not haue
his sentence, and that some other thinges will fall out. My
cosen Dauis charges dous not pleas him, becaus it is no more.
   Your letter by Jhon Wall was very wellcome to me, and I
thanke you for it. I hope the Lord will disapoint all the plots
of thos that haue evill will at the prosperity of Gods chruch.
Your letter has giuen me much content, for I feared that some
would take ocation by the Scots declaration to vrge against
them; but I hope the Lord will pasefy all distempers. I am glad
to heare my brother is well, and I perswade meselfe he loues
you. I hope my brother is not for lord Straford. I hard my lord
Straford layed some of his actions to his charge; but I hope, if
he did, my brother has cleered himself. 
   I am glad my cosen St. Jhons is to be maried. I beleeue it is
for her aduantage; tho in my opinion, when one has chillderen,
it is better to be a widowe. 
   M=r= Ballam is very sicke; I thinke it is an ague, but he
eates, and so make his fits violent; he will take nothinge of
Wodowes, nor Morgan, but is resouled to send to morrow for
doctor Rwit, but he feares he will stay longer with him then 3
(^l.^) will hoold out; that he is willing to giue, but he can
spare no more, as he says: this 2 dayes he has bine debating of,
as they tell me; but now in his fitte, he resoulfes to send for
him, and dous not recken the charges. I hope he will doo well;
he is so prouedent. Your brother Tome had a sharpe fitte on
saboth day night, but I thanke God his last fite was but short;
he is very cheerefull and hungry, but I suffer him to eate
<P 118>
no meate, and I giue him glisters, which I thanke God has doun
him much good. 
   I hope in good time your father will finde a chamber in the
Tempell for you. Deare Ned, put your father in minde, to inquire
of M=r= Gwine. 
   I thanke you for your letter by the carrier; your letters
gives me more satisfaction then any other. I did much feare, by
what I was abell to gees, that the Scots declaration would giue
the contrary party ocation to sheaw themselfes; but I blles the
Lord, that He has ouer-ruled the harts of men, and I hope they
goo now on well, to doo that greate worke they haue in hand. I
thanke you for the paper the Scots put into the Lords. I haue
taken a coppy, and heare-inclosed returned yours. I confes, I
longe to heare the sugsess of the conferance. Many rumors are in
the cuntry. If you haue bine to heare the Scots minesters, send
me word how you like them. I am glad your father has not taken
coold, this coold weather; for wheare your fathers loodging is,
is the cooldest place I thinke about Loundoun. I reioyce that
your father is well, tho I was sorry I had no letter from him;
but when he is so biussy I would not haue him rwit. 
   I thanke God your brother Tomas scaped his ague yesterday,
and he is indeferent well. M=r= Ballam is ill, and so is Same
Pinner. Deare Ned, send me word when you thinke that M=r= Gower
can come doune. 
   I haue rwit to Sanky about Hacklet; for I perseaufe shee may
be brought to loue him. I haue keep my beed this weake, and as
yet I haue not bine a whoole day vp. I pray God blles you, and
giue you gras and comfort, the portion of His chillderen; so I
rest, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Mar: 12, 1640. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 121>
[} [\CVI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - That I haue no letter from you this weake puts me
to a stand, and I should be very much trubeled, but that your
father rwites me word you are well, which mercy, I hope, the
Lord will still continue to you. I neuer more longed to heare
how things goo then I did this weake. Many rumors we heare, but
I biuld vpon nothing tell I heare it from you or your father. 
   I much desire to heare how the parlament tooke the ansure of
the justices of this country, that sent word they knwe not by
what aughtority the parlament did require the taking of the
protestation. S=r= William Croft is much against the parlament,
and vtters his minde freely: he was much displeased that they
would petition the Parlament: he toold M=r= Gower he was a
moufer of sedistion; and my cosen Tomkins was very hoot with
him: they say the parlament dous theare owne biusness, and not
the cuntryes. I shall long to heare from you. I thanke God, your
cosen Smith has loost his ague, for I could not deserne he had
any fite. On munday before Ester, M=r= Kirll and some other
gentellmen intend to seet forward with the petition, which I
hope will be well taken.
   I pray God blles you, and keepe you in His feare. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Mar: 25, 1641.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 125>
[} [\CXII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - Tho your letter by the merser weare short, yet
it had a longe wellcome. I much desire to heare how my lord
Straford comes of; for I beleeue many thinges depend vpon it.
Once againe I thanke you for his charge, and M=r= Fines his
speach, which I like very well. I need not tell you I had no
letter from you by the carrier, but your father rwit me word you
weare heareing my lord Strayfords charg, which was excuse
susphicient; and that you weare well, was pleasing to me, tho I
should haue bine glad of a letter. Your brother Tom, I thanke
God, has loost his ague, but he dous not yet come abroode. Your
brother Robine has is ague, but his fittes are short and much
eassier then they weare. M=r= Ballam is very ill; his is a
feauor, if it be no thinge elles. The other day he resouled to
make his will, and then to meddell no more with the world; but
yesterday and to day he hopes better of himself. I am very sorry
for him. Doctor Rwit, I thinke, will be with him on munday next,
and then I purpos, if pleas God, to take something meself. Aske
your father, wheather I shall send to Oxford for your beed and
Gorgess and the sheets; I can hardly spare the beeds; for it may
be, some will perswade that it is better sell them theare then
bringe them home; but I am not 
<P 126>
of that minde. Your sisters are well, and I should be very glad
to haue Brill goo to my lady Veeres. I hope M=r= Gower will come
downe shortly. I am much pleased that you are now with your
father, and I hope it will be much aduantage to you; and I
beceach the Lord to blles all the wayes of knowledg to you; for
you now see the truth of Gods word, that tho men spread like a
bay tree, yet they endure but for a time. 
   Deare Ned, be carefull of your self; and I beceach the Lord
to blles you: so I rest, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Apr: 19, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 128>
[} [\CXV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - Sence my thoughtes are so much with you, I may
easely writ offten to you. I take much content that I may hope
to see your father and you within 2 months. I pray God giue me a
comfortabell inioyeing of that my desire. Deare Ned, be carefull
of your health, and aboue all, of keeping your hart cloos with
your God. I did much reioyce that theare was hopes of a good
agreement betwene the 2 howess, and I hope to heare more fully
of it by Looker, who was looked for hard the last night; but he
is not yet come. Your brother Tom, I thanke God, is so well that
he comes into my chamber, and is mightyly a hungery, but your
brother Robine has his ague still; his fittes are much lees. He
was very ill, and I preuailed with him to take a vomit, which,
he says now, if he had not taken he thinkes he had bine in his
graue: but he was very vnwilling to take any more phiseke, so he
did not: and I feare he is a littell corbuticall; for his teethe
are loose; and I feare he had a littell touch of his old deases
the other day, but he had no fitt: he is alltogeather against
phiseke; he thinks an ague must be worne away by gooing abroode;
but theas are not such agues. Mr. Ballam mends a paece, and so
dous Sam Piner: your sisters are, I thanke God, very well, and
your cosen Smith, whous only sorrow is, that I haue goot one to
teach scoole for Mr. Ballam. 
   Mr. Gower toold me of the death of my good brother Bray. I am
exceeding sorry for the loos of him; I hope my sister Wacke and
my brother are well, and my lady Conway and my brothers
chillderen.
   I pray God blles you and keepe you in His feare: so I rest,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^May 7, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)
   I thanke God, I finde meself much better for my phisek and
being 
<P 129>
let blood. I haue bine to see your brother Robine, but I durst
not goo to-day, becaus I haue taken a great coold.

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 130>
[} [\CXVIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - The shurenes of the carrier, tho he is slow,
makes me writ by him, tho I purpos and pleas God to write by the
mersser,
<P 131>
whoo goos towards Loundoun on munday. I am glad that justice is
excicuted on my lord Straford, whoo I thinke dyed like a
Senneca, but not like one that had tasted the mistery of
godlyness. My deare Ned, let theas exampels make you
experimentally wise in Gods word, which has set forth the
prosperity of the wicked to be but for a time; he flowreschess
but for a time in his life, nor in his death has peace; but the
godly has that continuall feast, the peace of a good contience,
and his end is peace, and his memory shall not rot. I thanke God
that I hard you weare well, for I haue bine in feare of it all
this weake. I thanke God your brothers and sisters are well. I
haue keepe my beed sence munday. Deare Ned, be carefull of your
self, and I pray God blles you. So I rest,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^May 21, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 134>
[} [\CXXII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - I cannot let doctor Deodat goo, without leting
you know my thoughts are much with you, and I hope I shall see
you shortly. I receued your letter by Mr. Griffits: it brought
me wellcome nwes, in that it asshured me of your health, which I
pray God continue to you. I thanke God your brothers and sisters
are well. I am still in beed, but I hope I shall be abell to
rise with in thease feawe days. I am sorry doctor Deodat has
left the cuntry. 
   Deare Ned, be carefull of your self for my sake. I pray God
bells you and giue you a comfortabell meeting with 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^June 14, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 136>
[} [\CXXIV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - M=r= Doughty his stay something affter my cosin
Dauis, giues me leaue to begine this weake with a letter to you.
I pray God blles you and presarue you from all things that may
hurt you eather within or without. 
   I hard this morning that your father had taken my cosin
Wigmors estate into his hand, and vndertaken to pay all his
deets. I hope it is not true: send me word wheather you heare
any such thing. I would haue write to your father, but I thinke
many letters would trubell him: be carefull of yourself for my
sake. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^June: 21, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)
   Just nowe M=r= Ballam tell me he is not abell to teach
scoule. I pray you tell your father so.

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 139>
[} [\CXXVII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE M=R= EDWARD HARLEY, AT S=R= ROBERT HARLEY,
LOUDGING AT M=R= GAY HIS HOWES, WOOLSTAPLE, IN WESMESTER.}]
   Deare Ned - Let theas lines tell you I am glad of all
opertunitys by which you may be ashured my thoughts are with
you. I hope it will not be longe before I haue the comfort of
seeing your father and you, tho when I consider the biusness the
parlament is in hand with, I then feare it will be longe. I pray
God blless you, and giue you such a true knowledg of the thinges
heare below, that you may know them to be but transetory. Your
brothers and sisters are well, and I pray God keepe you so.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^July 3, 1641. Brompton Castell.^)
   Piner forgot to seet doune Edward Dallys rent in the rent
rolle, thearfore he has now sent it: for the rest of the tenants
of Kingsland, he says he can make no rent role. Giue this note
to your father. 

<Q HAR 1641 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 142>
[} [\CXXX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, AT S=R= ROBERT HARLEY
HIS LOUDGING IN WESMESTER.}]
   Deare Ned - I heare M=r= Moore is come downe. I long to heare
from him, how your father and you doo. I pray God I may heare
well of you, and that I may see your father and you with
comfort. If the howes will site still, yet I hope your father
will come down for a littell time. I thanke God I was yesterday
at chruch, in the morning, but the affternoune was so weet I
durst not goo, and I thanke God I finde myselfe reasnabell well
to day. Your brothers are well at Clanuer, and your sisters are
well. I pray God blles you, as I desire my owne soule should be
bllesed. So I rest, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^July 26, 1641. Bromton Castell.^)
   When you see my brother, tell him I present my saruis to him.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 146>
[} [\CXXXVI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I did the last night, with much contentment,
receaue your letter by Jhon Coolborn. I take it for a greate
bllesing that you came so well to Loundoun, and that you meet
with so good newes theare, as that the bischops are voted in
both howes to lous theaire vots theare. I hope the Lord will
perfect His owne glorious worke. You know how your fathers
biusnes is neglected; and, alas! it is not speaking will sarue
turne, wheare theare
<P 147>
is not abilltise to doo other ways; thearefore I could wisch,
that your father had one of more vnderstanding to intrust, to
looke to, if his rents are not payed, and I thinke it will be
so. I could desire, if your father thought well of it, that M=r=
Tomas Moore weare instrusted with it; he knowes your fathers
estate, and is an honnest man, and not giuen to greate expences,
and thearefore I thinke he would goo the most fruegually way. I
knowe it would be some charges to haue him and his wife in the
howes; but I thinke it would quite the chargess. I should be
loth to haue a stranger, nowe your father is away. Deare Ned,
tell your father what I haue rwiten to you, and I pray God
derect him in his resolutions; and what he resoulues of, I shall
be contened with; so doo not forget to tell your father. I did
not rwite him word of it, becaus I would not make my letter so
longe to him, and I am not very well at this time; being ill, as
I vse to be. I haue, by this carrier, sent vp your rwiteing
boox, and your boox of bookes. I pray God blles you, and beleeue
you are most deare to,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   I thanke God my coold is goone. 
(^Pheb: 11, 1641. Bromton Castele.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 149>
[} [\CXXXIX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - You desarue many thankes for your letters to
me this weeke, which was exceeding wellcome to me, both for the
good newes they contained, and becaus they came from you, whoo I
mise; for I may booldly say, I haue not bine very merry sence
you went. To me, theas mercys of God are such, as may make our
harts stand amased at the goodnes of our God, and they are
strong bands to tye vs in obedience to our God; for howe can we
sinn against so gracious, so mercifull a God, whoo is thus
pleased to put forth His wisdome and power, for the healp of His
poore chillderen. 
   I am exceeding glad that S=r= Jhon Conyars is leftenant of
the tower. I hope you are acquainted with him, and I hope you
haue deleuered my letter to my brother. They are now aboute a
petecion to the parlament, which I hope will be ready to send vp
the next weake. My deare Ned, the Lord of heauen blles you and
presarue you from all euill. Put your father in minde to be
carefull of himself; and I desire to know wheather he likes the
meath, and wheather my brother had the pyes I sent him. We heare
of letters that weare intersepted from my lord Digbe. I desire
to know wheather theare was any such thing or no. My deare Ned,
still beleeue I am beest pleased, when I can expres meself to
be,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Pheb: 19, 1641. Brompton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 152>
[} [\CXLIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   Deare Ned - I thanke you for your letter by Hall. I did much
long to receaue the declaration to the kinge. I thanke you for
it; I am sorry the kinge is pleased yet, not to conseaue anny
better thoughts of this parlament. The Lord be mercifull to this
poore land, and to this cuntry wheare I ame; for I thinke theare
is not such another. I heare the justices haue sent vp theare
ansure, why they would not take the protestation. S=r= William
Crof gouerns all of them. M=r= Braughton tells me you had taken
coold and weare not very well with it. I shall longe to heare
how you doo. Deare Ned, be carefull of yourselfe, and I pray God
blles you and presarue you in health. I am very well content
your father should take another, that his estate might be well
looked to, but I desire Piner may stay to receaue the mony, and
to lay it out. I thanke God, your cosen Smith is much better. I
will, if pleas God, prouid your linnes as soune as I can. I haue
by this carrier sent your father 12 pyes and a schees. M=r=
Braghton brought me no letter from you, which made me sorry; but
more sorry that you weare not well. I hope shortly you will have
the peticion for this county, but S=r= William Croft disswaded
it, as a thing vulawfull to petecion. So I rest, 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Mar: 19, 1641.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 154>
[} [\CXLVI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - You cannot conceaue how wellcome your letters
are to me; yet beleeue I give you thankes for them. I receued
one by the post and another by the carrier this weake. I see the
distance is still keepe betwne the kinge and parlament. The Lord
in mercy make them one, and in His good time incline the kinge
to be fully assured in the faithfull counsell of the parlament.
Our God has doun greate thinges, and I hope He will still
glorify Himselfe in exerciseing of His mercy to vs His poore
saruants. And, my deare Ned, it is my greate comfort that you
haue made your God your
<P 155>
confidence; and this is most sure, He will neuer faile you. I
purpos, and pleeas God, your sister Brill shall begine her
journey to Loundoun on munday next, and I hope shee will be
abell to reache Wickam by wensday night; wheare I hope shee
shall meete you at the Catterne wheele; shee much longes for
this journey. Piner and Hackelet and Prichard goo vp with her,
and M=r= Yeats and his wife. This night M=r= Old tells me that
M=r= Nweport is maried; for my Lady Nweport sent to Shrewsbury
to haue the bells rounge for it. I wishee, and please God, I had
the like ocation of reioyceing. Your cosen Smith is now well.
Doctor Wright stayed with him 3 or 4 dayes, and gaue him
somethinge, which has doun him much good. 
   I was ill when docter Wright was with your cosen Smith, and
so I haue bine sence he went; but I haue taken nothing of him
sence you went. 
   Deare Ned, be careful of yourselfe, and I beceach the Lord in
much mercy to blles you whith all His bllessings, and I wisch
you much ioye in your nwe lodging in Lincons Ine. I beleeue your
father misess you, and I am sure I doo. I pray you send me word
how you like your commons; so I rest,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Apr: 29, 1642, Brompton Castell.^)
   M=r= Gower is very well pleased that he is chosen on of the
ministers.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 157>
[} [\CXLIX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - Your letter by the post and by the carrier are
both very wellcome to me; for besides the knowledge you giue me
of the publicke affaires, the assurance of your health is very
deare to me. We all are ingaged deepely to pray ernestly to our
God, that He will giue both wisdome and corage to the parlament,
and I hope the Lord will so giude them that the mouths of thos
that would speake euill of them shall be stoped. I thanke you
for desireing me not to beleeue rumors. I doo not; becaus I
assure meself I shall heare the truth of thinges from your penn.
It is the Lords greate worke, that
<P 158>
is now a frameing, and I am confident, it will be finisched with
much beauty, so that the very enimyes shall be enforsed to
acknowledg it has bine the Lord that has rought for His caus and
chillderen; against home they will finde that theare is no
deuination nor inchantment. 
   We hard that the Kenttiche peticion was brought by 3000 men,
and that 3000 Loundoners meete them vpon Blacke Heath and theare
fought, and many weare killed. And now we heare that S=r=
Francis Wortly drwe his sword and asked whoo was for the king,
and so 18 foolowed him. I thinke this later may be true; but for
the fight vpon Black Heath, I know it is not true. 
   I am glad our Heariford peticion is come to Loundoun, and I
hope deliuered before this: your sister, I hope, meet you at
Wickcam on wensday last. Deare Ned, send me word how my ladey
Veere vsess her, and how shee carriers herself. 
   I pray God blles you with a large measure of gras and with
all the comforts of this life. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley. 
(^May 6, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 162>
[} [\CLV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, THEAS LOUNDOUN.}]
   My deare Ned - The ocation of this letter is to let you knowe
that Mr. Weafer is dead. Doctor Wright has exprest a very greate
deale of frindeshipe to you in this biusnes, more then this
short time will let me tell you. This mornig doctor Wright came
to me presently affter 7 a cloke; he thinkes that if your father
can make Mr. Seaborne ferme to him, and gaine Mr. Ellton to
preueale with yonge Mr. Weafer, that you will haue it. I will,
in the meane time, rwite to Mr. Ellton, and doctor Wright will
carry the letter to him. But this is the question, that you must
be a burges of theare towne, which I bide Mr. Davis tell them
you would: but it seemes he did not so cleerely; for that was
one reson that made doctor Wright come to me, to let me knowe,
that if you weare not burges, you could not be one. Doctor
Wright is so ernest that you should haue this, that he perswaded
me to send to your father, that nothing might be left vndone. If
your father be displeased that I send so to him, you must healp
to make my excuse. If please God, I should be very glad you
might be in this imployment. The Lord prosper our indeuors and
blles you. In great hast,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley. 
   Samuell promises me to be with you on saterday . . I pray you
rwit doctor Wright thankes, and pray your father to doo so. I
did not tell now thinke he had borne so much good will to
Brompton, as I see he dous.
(^May 19, 1642.^) 
   Deare Ned, put your father in minde, if he thinkes best to
doo so, to rwite to S=r= William Croft for his healpe.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 165>
[} [\CLVIII. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }]
   My deare Ned - I must tell you once againe, that I haue had
no letter from you this weake, but Sankey rwites me word that
you are well, and that makes me glad. I should haue bine very
glad to haue receaued derections from your father, wheather I
should doo any more in getting voices for you about Heariford. I
haue spoken to many who haue promised me, and young M=r= Weafer,
if hee doo not stand for it himself.
   If Mr. Ellton is nowe in London, I pray you tell your father,
that if it pleas him, he may speake to him. If you did rwite any
letter by the post, he has played the naughty fellow, and then I
pray you rwite no more by him. I pray God blles you, and giue
you a most comfortabell meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^May 27, 1642: Brompton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 166>
[} [\CLXI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - Now I thanke you for your letter by M=r=
Braughton, whoo brought it this day somethinge late, so that I
am shortned in time to rwite to you. 
   I thinke we must all acknowledeg Gods greate mercy that the
plot for the takeing of Hull was discouered. I pray God derect
the parlement what they ought to doo, for they haue enimyes
enough to looke with on euill eye at what theare actions.
<P 167>
   At Loudlow they seet vp a May pole, and a thinge like a head
vpon it, and so they did at Croft, and gathered a greate many
about it, and shot at it in deristion of roundheads. At Loudlow
they abused M=r= Bauges sonne very much, and are so insolent
that they durst not leaue theare howes to come to the fast. I
acknowledg I doo not thinke meself safe wheare I am. I loos the
comfort of your fathers company, and am in but littell safety,
but that my trust is in God; and what is doun in your fathers
estate pleasess him not, so that I wisch meselfe, with all my
hart, at Loundoun, and then your father might be a wittnes of
what is spent; but if your father thinke it beest for me to be
in the cuntry, I am every well pleased with what he shall thinke
beest. I haue sent you by this carryer, in a box, 3 shirts;
theare is another, but it was not quite made; on of them is not
wasched; I will, and pleas God, send you another the next weake,
and some handchersher. I rwite yesterday to you by the post of
Loudlow, how my thankes was taken at Heariford. 
   I pray God blles you and keepe you from sinn, and from all
other euills, and giue you a joyfull meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   Your sister Doll is not well, shee has a great weakenes vpon
her; yet I thanke God this day shee is somethinge better than
shee was.
(^June 4, 1642: Brompton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 171>
[} [\CLXVI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - Your two letters this weake weare exceeding
wellcome to me. I thanke God, that you finde yourselfe better
affter your pihiseke. Deare Ned, for my sake take care of 
your - .
<P 172>
   I am very glad to heare that your sister has so much fauor
from my lady Veere. I had no letter from your sister this weake.
I hope the horsess are come well to your father: and by this
carrier I purpos, and pleas God, to send the 2 pistolls you
rwite me word your father would haue, and the gillt plate which
he has sent for. I am exceeding glad to heare that my lord of
Sallsbery and my lord of Clare is come to the parlement. It is a
greate comfort to me to see you fixe your thoughts in theas
times vpon your God. Your brother Tom has bine extreme ill, and
it pleased God, that docter Wright was with M=rs= Litellton, and
so came to see me as he went home, which I thought fell out
happily for your brother. Yesterday I was exceeding fraid of
him, but this day, I thanke God, he is better, so that I hope
docter Wright may leaue him to-morrow. He fell sike on tusday
last; so that, deare Ned, I finde that on trubele foolows
another. 
   M=r= William Littellton being at Loudlow last weake, as he
came out of the chruch, a man came to him and looked him in the
fase and cryed "roundhead;" he gaue the fellow a good box of the
eare and steep to on that had a chugell and tooke it from him
and beat him soundly. They say, they are now more quiet in
Loudlow. I pray you put your father in mind to consider of that
I rwite to him about M=r= Yates, and send me word what he says,
for I desire they may be punisched.
   I pray God blles you and giue you a comfortabell meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Jne: 24, 1642. Brompton Castell.^)
   Deare Ned, send me word wheather my lady Veere giues any
thinge in this prouicione for raizing of hors for the good of
this poore kingdome.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 174>
[} [\CLXX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I hard very late this night that M=r= Moore
would goo to Loundoun, and I cannot let him pas without a
letter; for, my deare Ned, beleeue me, I long to see, and how
glad should I be, if you weare heare at the fast. Docter Wright
was send for to M=r= James, whoo was very ill, and he, seeing
M=r= Moore with him, toold
<P 175>
me he was to goo to Loundoun: but it was late, and if I doo not
send very early, he will be goon; so that I can say no more but
that I am,
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Jun: 27, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 176>
[} [\CLXXIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I receued your letter by Mr. Hill yesterday,
and I thanke God that I heare you are well; the Lord in mercy
continue that comfort to me. 
   They goo on with the milica in this cuntry; the sherafe has
sent out warents that they apeare on the 15 of this month at
Herifrd. Your fathers company, I heare, they meane to make offer
to you, and if you will not haue it, they will giue it to
another. They trihumfe brafely, as they say, and threaten poore
Brompton; but
<P 177>
we are in the hand of our God, whoo I hope will keepe vs safe. I
pray God blles you, as I desire the soule should be bllesed, of
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^July 8, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 180>
[} [\CLXXVII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I longe to see you, but would not haue you
come downe, for I cannot thinke this cuntry very safe; by the
papers I haue sent to your father, you will knowe the temper of
it. I hope your father will giue me full derections how I may
beest haue my howes gareded, if need be; if he will giue the
derections, I hope, I shall foolow it. 
   My deare Ned, I thanke God I am not afraide. It is the Lords
caus that we haue stood for, and I trust, though our iniquitys
testify aganst vs, yet the Lord will worke for His owne name
sake, and that He will now sheawe the men of the world that it
is hard fighting against heauen. And for our comforts, I thinke
neuer any laide plots to route out all Gods chillderen at once,
but that the
<P 181>
Lord did sheawe Himselfe mighty in saveing His saruants and
confounding His enimyes, as He did Pharowe, when he thought to
haue destroyed all Israell, and so Haman. Nowe, the intention
is, to route out all that feare God, and surely the Lord will
arise to healpe vs: and in your God let your confidence be, and
I am assured it is so. One meet Samuell and not knoweing wheare
he dwelt, Samuell toold him he was a Darbesheare man, and that
he came lately from thence, and so he did in discours; the papis
toold him, that theare was but a feawe puretaines in this
cuntry, and 40 men would cut them all off. 
   Had I not had this ocation to send to your father, yet I had
sent this boy vp to Loundoun; he is such a rogeisch boy that I
dare not keepe him in my howes, and as littell do I dare to let
him goo in this cuntry, least he ioyne with the company of
vollentirs, or some other such crwe. I haue giuen him no more
money then will sarue to beare his charges vpe; and becaus I
would haue him make hast and be sure to goo to Loundoun, I haue
toold him, that you will giue him something for his paines, if
he come to you in good time and doo not loyter; and heare
inlosed I haue sent you halfe a crowne. Giue him what you thinke
fitte, and I desire he may not come downe any more, but that he
may be perswaded to goo to seae, or some other imployment. He
thinkes he shall come downe againe. Good Ned, do not tell
Martaine that I send him vp with such an intention. I haue
derected theas letters to you, and I send him to you, becaus I
would not haue the cuntry take notis, that I send to your father
so offten; but when such ocations come, I must needs send to
him, for I can rely vpon nobodys counsell but his. I pray God
blles you and presarue you in safety, and the Lord in mercy giue
you a comfortabell meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^July 19, 1642. Brompton Castell.^)
   My cosen Dauis tells me that none can make shot but thos
whous trade it is, so I haue made the plumer rwite to Woster for
50 waight
<P 182>
of shot. I sent to Woster, becaus I would not haue it knowne. If
your father thinke that is not enoufg, I will send for more. I
pray you tell your father that my cosen Robert Croft is in the
cuntry. My cosen Tomkins is as violent as euer, and many thinke
that her very words, is in the Heariford resolutions. I beleeue
it was M=r= Masons pening. He is gone to Yorke, for when he
carried the letter from the gentellmen in this cuntry, he was
made the kings chapline.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 183>
[} [\CLXXX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY MUCH HONNORED FRINDE MRS. WALLCOTE, AT WALLCOTE.}]
   Most worthy frinde - I had rather intreate a kindenes from
you then from any I knowe; assureing meselfe you will doo the
same to me, in home you have as much interest in, as in any.
<P 184>
   I haue had of late in the mending of the leeds of my howes
bine inforsed to lay out an extriordary some of money; and
Edward Dally with others, oweing me rent, I can not as yet geet
it; if you can lend me 40 (^l.^) for halfe or a quarter of a
yeare, I shall take it as a greate kindenes, and I will pay the
interest of it with all my hart, and giue you any securety my
sonne and I can giue you, which I hope will be enough for a
greater some. So recommending you unto the protection of God, I
rest,
   Your most affectinat frinde, Brilliana Harley.
(^Augs. 18, 1642.^)
   I desire to haue my saruis presented to M=r= Wallcote and
your sonne.

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 184>
[} [\CLXXXI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY MUCH HONNORED FRINDE MRS. WALLCOTE, AT WALLCOTE.}]
   My much honnored and deare frinde, - I acknowledg this as a
greate fauor, and I shall be ready to expres my thankes with all
the 
<P 185>
testimony of true respets, and I acknowledge, that for the
vertues you haue, I much loue and honnor you. I haue receued the
20 (^l.^) you are pleased to lend me, and I haue made a bill of
the resaite of it, and my sonne and meselfe haue put our hands
to the resaite of it, and I will and pleas God pay you very
shortly. 
   I desire to haue my saruis presented to M=r= Wallcote and
your sonne; and desire you to beleeue that I am most vnfainedly 
   Your most affectinat frinde, Brilliana Harley.
(^Augt: 22, 1642. Brompton Castell.^)

<Q HAR 1642 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 186>
[} [\CLXXXIII. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }] 
   My deare Ned - I thanke you for your letter by Proser; he is
a trusty mesenger. I must now tell you how gratious our God has
bine to vs: on the soboth day affter I receued the letter from
the markis, we sett that day apart to sceeke to our God, and
then on munday we prepared for a seege; but our good God called
them another way; and the markis sent me word he remembered him
to me, and that I need not feare him, for he was gooing away,
but bide me feare him that came affter him.
   M=r= Connisbe is the gouernor of Heariford, and he sent to me
a letter by M=r= Wigmore. I did not let him come into my howes,
but I went into the garden to him. Your father will sheawe you
the letter; they are in a mighty violence against me; they
reueng all that was doune vpon me, so that I shall feare any
more parlament forsess comeing into this cuntry: and deare Ned,
when it is in your power sheaw kindenes to them, for they must
be overcome so. Bardlam has played the very traitor to me, and
Richard Bytheway neuer comes at me: M=r= Phillips takes much
care and pains. Deare Ned, rwite him thankes tho it be but in a
littell scripe of paper. My deare Ned, I pray you aduis with
your father wheather he thinkes it best that I should put away
most of the men that are in
<P 187>
my howes, and wheather it be best for me to goo from Brompton,
or by Gods healp to stand it out. I will be willing to doo what
he would have me doo. I neuer was in such sorrows, as I haue
bine sence you left me; but I hope the Lord will deleuer me; but
they are most cruely beent against me. I thanke you for your
counsell, not to take theair words; the Lord in mercy presarue
you, and if it be His holy will, giue me the comfort of seeing
you, in home is much of the comfort of 
   Your affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Desem: 25, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 189>
[} [\CLXXXVII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I rwite to you the other day by M=r= Taylor,
and I am as glad to doo it now, and I hope this will come safe
to your hand.
   I am in the same condistion as I was; still amongst my
enimys, who now threeten me not with forsess, becaus the
soulders are goon before Gloster; theaire randevous is S=r= Ro.
Cookes howes. My deare
<P 190>
Ned, desire your father to send me word what he thinkes I had
beest doo; for if I should put away the men in my howes, I
should be eury day plundered, and as basely vsed as it is
poscibell, and I can receaue no rents. 
   Sam Piner toold who went with you, and so Leeg and Poell are
indited. 
   M=r= Yaets and M=r= Lowe and Edward Pin. goo towards Loundoun
the next weake. Edward Pin. biusnes is to speake with your
father aboute the legacy he should pay M=r= Poells daughter; he
has sould land to her husband, and he would haue him take the
mony of your father. I would not haue had him goo vp to
Loundoun, becaus I thinke it is not a time for your father to
take vp mony to pay that legacy, that the land is still in
question; but your brother tells me Piners intentiene is to geet
more lives on Buckton for that mony. If your father pleas to
consider it, I thinke it is not so much for his profit to let on
man haue so many liueings in his hand; for then they put poore
tenants into them, and let the howses goo downe, and your father
has but on tenant, for his tenant haueing 2 or 3. I pray you
speake to your father about it. Good M=r= Bayley is come to me.
They rage more then euer. I pray God keepe vs from them; and,
deare Ned, pray for vs and desire all good Christians to doo so.
The Lord in mercy blles you, and giue me, a comfortabell seeing
of you, who hoold you as deare as my owne soule.
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   I longe to see your sister Brills sonn. 
   I think it seuen yeare tell he come.
   I sent you all your linnens the last saterday. 
   M=r= William Griffits tooke them with him, and promised to
send them to his brother Gorge. 
   I purpos to send your man vp to you, when Piner goos, for I
beleeue you will hardly haue on that is better and loues you
more.
(^Feb. 25, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 195>
[} [\CXCI.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I should haue bine very glad to haue receued a
letter from you by Mr. Taylor; and deare Ned, finde some way or
other to rwite to me that I may know how the world goos, and how
it is with your father and yourselfe; for it is a death to be
amoungst my enimys, and not to heare from thos I loue so
dearely.
   Heare I haue sent you a coppy of the sommons was sent me; I
wisch with all my hart that euery on would take notice what way
they take: that if I doo not giue them my howes, and what they
would haue, I shall be proseeded against as a trator. It may be
euery onse case to be made traytors; for I beleeue eury on will
be as vnwilling to part with theare howes as I am. I desire your
father would seariously thinke what I had beest doo; wheather
stay at Brompton, or remoue to some other place. I heare theare
are 600 soulders apointed to come against me. I know not
wheather this sessation of armes will stay them. I cannot tell
what to think, that I heare nothing of your sister Brills sonne,
nor that you did not write me word, that he was come to you. I
heare captaine Jeferes is drowned. I am very much behoolding to
docter Wright, for he will not goo from Brompton tell he sees me
out of my trubell. 
   Mr. Phillips carrys himselfe very well, and Mr. H [^GAP IN
EDITION^] as he was vsed to doo. Good M=r= Baughly is faine to
come to Brompton.
<P 196>
M=r= Legg is still at Brompton, and Mathes and the Wellchmen and
Staney and 2 of Knights brothers, who were faine to fly out of
theare owne cuntry. My deare Ned, I will promise meselfe a
letter from you by this bearer, whoo has carried himselfe very
well to me; thearefore I pray you giue him thankes for it. I
pray God blles you, and in His good time giue vs a joyfull
meeting, which I beleeue you thinke is longed for, by
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley. 
   I heare they have put vp proclamations in this cuntry, that
theare shall be no sessation of armes.
   Docter Wright and M=rs= Wright remember saruis to you.
(^Mar: 8, 1642.^)

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 197>
[} [\CXCIII.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I was very glad to receaue a letter from you
by Proser and by Samleman, but I did hope you would haue bine
more at large, for I doo exceedingly long to heare what you doo,
and
<P 198>
what is beest for me to doo. I heare some say, you haue an
imployment, but I will beleeue nothing tell I heare it from your
selfe or father. The report in this cuntry is, that my lord
Capell comes very shortly to be gowernor of Shrewsbury, and the
qu: is to come to Loudlow. I thanke God we are all at Brompton,
and desire to knowe when you meane, and pleas God, to moue this
way.
   I pray God blles you and giue you a comfortabell meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
   Doctor Wright and M=rs= Wright, whoo yet make me so much
behoolding to them as that they are with me, remember theaire
saruis to you.
(^Mar: 25, 1643.^)

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 203>
[} [\CXCIX.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - I hard from Loundoun that you with S=r= Arter
Hasellrike left Loundoun on Friday was senight, and that your
intentions weare to hast to S=r= William Waller. I haue some
hope that theas lines may meet with you, which if they doo, my
deare Ned, let them assure you my hart is with you; and I hope
my God will blles you. This bearer can tell you the state of
Hearifordschere. You know you are the comfort of my life,
thearefore thinke it not strange, if my thoughts are so much
with you. 
   The Lord in much mercy blles and presarue you, and giue you a
comfortabell meeting with
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^June 19, 1643.^)
   I thanke God we are all well at Brompton.

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 204>
[} [\CCI. TO HER SON EDWARD.\] }] 
   My deare Ned - On saterday I receued your letter by Raphe.
Your being well is mine, and thearefore you may beleeue I
reioyce in it. That you left me with sorrow, when you went last
from Brompton, I beleeue; for I thinke, with comfort I thinke of
it, that you are not only a child, but on with child-like
affections to me, and I knowe you haue so much vnderstanding
that you did well way the condistion I was in; but I beleeue it,
your leaueing of me was more sorrow then my condistion could be;
but I hope the Lord will in mercy giue you to me again, for you
are both a Joseph and a Beniamin
<P 205>
to me, and deare Ned, longe to see me; and I hope when you haue
spent some littell time in the army you will come to Brompton.
Sence you desired your brother to come to you, I could not deny
it, though I was loth to leaue him. I hope he is come, before
this, safe to you; and I pray God blles you both togeather, and
that I may agene haue you returne in safety with your deare
father. In this cuntry they begine to rais nwe tropes, and they
haue seast the country at 1200 (^l.^) a-month. My lo. Harbert
and colonel Vaueser whoo is to be gouerner of Heariford, is gone
vp into Moungomeryscheere to rais soulders. All of them are
returned into Hearifordsheere; S=r= Wallter Pye, M=r= Brabson,
M=r= Smaleman, M=r= Wigmore, M=r= Ligen, and M=r= Stiles and
Gardnas, whoo has quartered soulders in Kingsland, and they say,
that besides the 1200 (^l.^) a month, theare must be free
quarter for soulders. They counsell, but the Lord in mercy
defeate theaire counsells. I must looke for nwe one-seets, but I
hope I shall looke to my rocke of defence, the Lord my God, from
home is deleuerance. Out of Chescheere, I heare from a sure
hand, that on the 19 of this month S=r= William Brerton sent out
a party of hors into Sharpschere, but when they weare plundering
at Hanmere, the lo. Capells tropes supprised them; they hasted
to theaire horsess and fleed, but theare was taken prisnors of
them the leftenan colonell and captain leftenant Sanky, and 13
more taken prisners, and about 12 slaine, and many more wounded.
They vsed the prisnors very barborously. All Lancascheere is
cleered, only Latham howes. My lord of Darby has left that
county, which they take ill. My deare Ned, I know you loue to
heare how I doo. I thanke God, beyond my expectation or that of
some in my howes, my prouistions has heald out; and I haue
borrowed yet not much mony, though my tenants will not pay me,
and Coolborn deales very ill with me, and will pay me no mony;
and M=r= Connisbys steward sent to him to know wheather he would
receaue the 6 coolts, and he neuer toold me of it, but sent them
word he durst not. This M=r= Eaton rwite me word of yesterday.
   Your brother can tell you I sent for a sargent to colonnell
Massey, 
<P 206>
and he sent me one, and I hope he will doo very well. As you
desired to haue some honnest man sent you, I did as much desire
to send you some. Those that I thought would haue gone gladly,
findes out excusess, but theas 3 desired to goo, to venture
theair liues with you, or elles they would not goo from me.
Doctor Write asked his man the question, but the poore gardner
and Stangy desired it of themselfes, and they seet forward with
good corage. I will endeuor to see wheather any will contribute
to buy a hors; but thos that haue harts haue not means, and they
that haue means haue not harts. I doo not send you Jack
Griffets, becaus I thought you might like Phillip Loouke, whoo
is a pretty inienious fellow, but if you would haue Griffets, I
pray you let me know by Raphe, and I will, if pleas God, send
him to you. By Raphe and the rest I haue sent you [^IN EDITION
yon^] your bookes. Deare Ned, I could say much more to you, but
I haue run out my paper. The Lord of Heauen blles you and
presarue you, and make you to doo worthely and to outliue all
theas trubells. 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^June 30, 1643.^)
   I am confident you will hate all plundering and
vnmercifullness. I pray you aske your brother what I bide him
tell you concerning M=r= Hill.

<Q HAR 1643 BHARLEY>
<A LADY BRILLIANA HARLEY>
<P 208>
[} [\CCV.\] }] 
[}FOR MY DEARE SONNE COLONELL HARLEY.}]
   My deare Ned - Your short but wellcome letter I receaued by
Prosser, and as it has pleased God to intrust you with a greater
<P 209>
charge, as to change your trope into a regiment, so the Lord in
mercy blles you with a dubell measure of abillitys, and the Lord
of Hosts be your protector and make you victorious. My deare
Ned, how much I longe to see you I cannot expres, and if it be
possibell, in parte meete my desires in desireing, in some
measure as I doo, to see me; and if pleased the Lord, I wisch
you weare at Brompton. I am now againe threatned; there are some
souldiers come to Lemster and 3 troopes of hors to Heariford
with S=r= William Vauasor, and they say they meane to viset
Brompton againe; but I hope the Lord will deleuer me. My trust
is only in my God, whoo neuer yet failled me. 
   I pray you aske M=r= Kinge what I prayed him to tell you
conserning Wigmore. 
   I haue taken a very greate coold, which has made me very ill
thees 2 or 3 days, but I hope the Lord will be mercifull to me,
in giuing me my health, for it is an ill time to be sike in.
   My deare Ned, I pray God blles you and giue me the comfort of
seeing you, for you are the comfort of 
   Your most affectinat mother, Brilliana Harley.
(^Octo: 9, 1643.^)

<Q HAR 1639 RHARLEY>
<A ROBERT HARLEY>
<P 211>
[}TO MR. EDWARD HARLEY, AT MAGDALEN HALL IN OXFORD.}]
   Ned Harley - Comend my service to M=r= provost and M=r=
Rouse, and lett them know that I do receeve it as an honor to
mee y=er= intentions to set up my armes in the colledge. I will
go (God willinge) send it to them.
   There is another seruice which I have impartid to your worthy
tutor, which if you like not, new counsailes shal be taken, for
I would willingly shew myself, as time shall trie, and truth
shall prove, and occasion shall rest contented, your obedient
father. But, if otherwise or so, the horses shal be with you on
Wednesday, the 11th of the next month, that you may be heere the
14th; and, if you have taken the schoolinge so farr as that you
have learned any rhetoricke, file your tong, and bestowe it all
on your tutor to p'suade hym to come along with you. In which
attempt if you faile, I may say you have spent your time and I
my money to small purpose, if your tutor hath not taught you to
overcome hym at his owne weapon. Howsoever, (\fac periculum\) ,
use your skill, and if you prevayle, send me word by the next,
and I will send a horse for the good tutor allso. The Lord in
mercy sett and settle His holy feare in your heart, then which
nothinge can more inlarge the joye of,
   Your most lov'ge father, Ro. Harley
(^Bro'pto: Castle,^) (\18mo 9bris\) , 1639.

<Q HAR 1639 RHARLEY>
<A ROBERT HARLEY>
<P 212>
[}FOR MR. EDWARD HARLEY, AT MAGD: HALL, IN OXON.}] 
   Ned Harley - By my last I acquainted you of my purpose to
send horses for you and your worthy tutor, if your logicke or
rethoricke can prevayle with hym to honoure you heere with his
presence, and my resolution hereby (God will'ge) to send them
that they may arrive with you on the 11th of the next month. But
if the tutors affaires stand calculated for an other meridian in
the verticole point of this yeare, then let this berer, in his
returne from London, bring mee a cleere understonding of it, and
beseeche your good tutor to be the good genius for a
schoolmaster heere. Remember, you haue set saile for heaven: let
Ch: be your north starr, His holy word your card, and keepe your
canvase pregnant with His feare, and upon my life, you will make
a happy voyage. In which hope I joye and rest, 
   Your most affectionate father, Ro. Harley.
(^Bro'pto' Cast:^) (\25=t= 9bris\) , 1639.

<Q HAR 1641 RHARLEY>
<A ROBERT HARLEY>
<P 212>
[}FOR MY SONNE MR. EDWARD HARLEY, AT BRO~PTO~ CASTLE.}] 
   Ned Harley - I canot advertise you any thinge of your
chamber, but I intend to provide one for you as soone as I can.
Whilst you are at Bro~pton lett no day pass (\sine linea\) .
Walke as an example in love before your brothers and sisters,
that they may honoure you next mee and your good mother. See the
worship of God kept up in the familye, greeve not your heavenly
Father by s-ge ag=st= Hym. So you wilbe the joye of your
earthly, 
   Ro. Harley.
   Comend my love to your brothers and sisters, and to your
cossin Smyth.
(^Little Brittan,^) (\18=mo= 8=bris=\) , 1641.

<Q HAR 1641 RHARLEY>
<A ROBERT HARLEY>
<P 212>
[}FOR NED HARLEY.}] 
   Ned Harley - I thanke you for your lettre, which you will
understande I hope to be an incourage~t to write to mee. I am
sorry for the sad accident 
<P 213>
at Leyntwardine. It is fitt that Pyner should th=ke= how to
provide an other tenant for the mille, and let hym co~ferr with
Thos. Davyes of Wigmire abote the death of the man. 
   Divide my blessing betweene yourself and your brothers and
sisters, and, if you challenge a double parte, strive to walke
worthy of your title to it, which you can never do, unless you
feare all s-e, which the Lord in mercye settle in your heart,
that you may be the joye of your father,
   Ro. Harley.
   Com=d= me to your cossin Smyth.
(^London,^) (\30=o= 8bris\) , 1641.

<Q HAR 1643? MVERE>
<A MARY VERE>
<P 213>
[} [\LADY VERE TO EDWARD HARLEY.\] }] 
   Good Nephew - I am very sory to hear by yo=r= sistars leter
of the weakn=s= in your arme. I am glad you ar in London, whear
you may have the meanes wich I pray God to bles to you, and m'k
vs to se the mercy in preserveing yo=r= life with this mark of
honor. I did writ latly to you about my sad busnis, it is lick
to be very burdensom to me, for I shall not know what to do, if
that plas faill me. My hope is in God, who will never fail them
that ar His. I know you will not be wanting in any thing wherein
you may be helpfull in the busines, wich I beleue you vnderstand
so well as to know what is to be done in it, and I know your
fathers love and care of me. I hear not it that my nephew Tracy
be come, and tell then I hear nothing can be don. God geve me a
good end of it, and menes to expres the senserity of my
affections, wich shall never faill in loveing and esteming you,
and in aproving myself,
   Yor most faithfull true loving avnt, Mary Vere.

<Q HAR 1651 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 216>
[} [\COL. HARLEY TO HIS BROTHER THOMAS.\] }] 
   Deare Brother - I have now exchanged the sweet country aire
and sports for the dirt, fogs, and trouble of the city. The
employment there, is to chase the poore hare, or crafty fox;
heere, to pursue one another. The forest whence I came, hath not
beasts more savage as we meete every day. The lustfull goat,
fawning dog, greedy wolf range freely, and what is worst, every
one abounds with these wild inhabitants, and want sagacity to
pursue and courage to destroy them. If every private person
would be an honest hunter, we should not complaine of so many
Nimrods. If you have recovered,
<P 217>
and can spare your (^watry hunter^) , I shall be very glad to
receave him from you. The assurance of your health will be very
wellcome to,
   Your most affectionate brother,
   Edw. Harley.
(^Westminster,^) (\6 Martii\) , 1650-1.
For his deare Brother,
   Mr. Thomas Harley.

<Q HAR 1654 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 217>
[} [\ED. HARLEY TO HIS FATHER.\] }] [^TO ROBERT HARLEY^]
   Sir - I trust the same mercy which conducted me safely hither
hath comfortably preserved you. If that confidence did not
refresh me, this journey would be very sad; but I dare not doubt
the tender compassions of our heavenly Father to you, because I
have alwaies experienced your tenderness to me. Thus, I beseech
you, give me leave according to our Lord and Saviors precious
logick to make some return for your fatherly love to me, with an
assurance of an infinite Fatherly love to you. Sir, if our Lord
God see it good to permitt Satan to discover his malice, be
pleased to consider that your age and weakness, which encourage
Satan to assault you: they doe much more assure you of victory,
because all the retrenchments from your own ability to resist,
doe place you more closely and imediately under the secure
protection of the Lord of Hosts, who I doubt not will graciously
avenge you of your spirituall adversary; will make His candle
shine upon your head, and having sanctified all His dispensatins
towards you, will fully assure you, that having given you His
son, how shall He not with Him also freely give you all things.
Thus humbly prayes he, who begs your blessing for, Sir,
   Your most obedient son, Edw. Harley.
(^Birmichem, Feb. 2, 1653-4.^)
   To his most honored father, Sir Robert Harley, Knt. of the
Bath, at Ludlow, present these.

<Q HAR 1654 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 218>
[} [\EDW. HARLEY TO HIS FATHER.\] }] [^TO ROBERT HARLEY^]
   Sir - I bless God for your letter and for the testimony of
His goodness to you, which I trust will be graceousily continued
and enlarged. I am not yet at a certainty whether I shall
procure the money by the security of an assignation of your
statute to the Earle of Lincolne, or by a new statute, but I
doubt not a speedy dispatch, through Gods goodness. Wednesday
last, the lord Protector rode in great state from Temple-bar to
Grocers Hall. The lord Mayor rode bare, with the sword before
him, and was knighted by him after the banquet, and the sword
the Protector did then weare, he bestowed upon the Mayor. The
Recorder his speech I present to you, enclosed. I beseeche the
Lord in mercy confirme your health, according to His abundant
mercy, which is the prayer of him, that humbly begs your
blessinge, and is,
   Sir,
   Your most obedient Son, 
   Edw. Harley.
(^London, Old Bayley, 11 Feb. 1653-4.^)
   For the Right Worshipfull Sir Robert Harley, Kt. of the
Bathe, at Ludlow, Shropshyre.

<Q HAR 1654 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 218>
[} [\EDWARD HARLEY, ON THE DAY OF HIS MARRIAGE, TO HIS FATHER.\]
}] [^TO ROBERT HARLEY^]
   Sir - Although I have not heard since I parted from Ludlow
concerning your health, I trust our gracious God continues your
health towards a further degree of confirmation and strength.
This day according to your leave, and by Gods mercy to me, I
have consumated this great affaire heere, and my dear heart and
I joyn in humbly begging your blessing. The most part of the
3000 (^l.^) will be in a fewe daies at London. 1500 (^l.^) of it
is for Mr. Sherwyn. I desire to know whether Mr. Lacy shall have
his money out of the remainder. My Lady Button is very desirous
to have the joynture immediately settled, which I doubt cannot
be wel-done before you speak with Mr. Powys, who is now on the
circuit; therefore if please you, I think you may give my lady
satisfaction for the present, if you acknowledg a statut of 8000
(^l.^) to my Lady Button, with a defesance 
<P 219>
that you will settle a joynture within three or six months of
500 (^l.^) per an. This may be done at Ludlow; and if you aprov
it, I beseech you that it may be speedily dispatched hither. I
think Mr. Davies of Wigmore can draw the defesance wel. My Lady
Button is very desirus of a letter from you. She presents her
service to you. When you think fit to writ of any privat
business, I think, Sir, it may be better, if you pleas, to mak
use of my sister Stanleys penn. Sir, I beseech the Lord in mercy
continue your health and enlarge all spiritual comforts to you.
So prayes, Sir,
   Your most obedient son,
   Edward Harley.
(^Tavistock, June 26, 1654.^)
   Sir - I beseech you y=t= our maryag may be kept privat. 
   To his most honored father, Sir Robert Harley, Kt. of the
Bathe, At Ludlow, present these.

<Q HAR 1654? MHARLEY>
<A MARY HARLEY>
<P 219>
[} [\MARY HARLEY TO HER HUSBAND, COL. ED. HARLEY.\] }]
   Deare Heart - I was very ill on Saturday last, and not abrode
till to day. The duty as you desierid of the fast was this day
performed, and the other of prayer every second Thursday shall
be, if God pleas - it being your fathers command as well as
yours. Mr. Shilton tells me Hurse cannot have either of the
livings. I was forced to borrow money to paye Rutley 15 (^l.^)
12 (^s.^) ; and I must borrow sume and the rest in my gold must
pay Mr. Shiltons bill to Mr. Cloggie. The steward tells me none
will be had. I know not what to doe for the house. I believe I
must be forced to leve it, tho I should gladly do any service I
am able. I have given your directions concerning the church to
Mr. Davis, and to the steward for to bring hay, which he thinks,
as he tells me, very difficult alredy, and it will be
impossible, by that time he hath done plowing: so he would have
too of the coach horses sent to be kept at Brompton. My brother
came well home last Satturday, but the coach brook at Eacham,
and came not till yesterday. Sir Robert and all are well, but
your sad (and in your absence, deare heart,)
   Unhappie, Mary Harley.
(^Sep. 16^)
<P 220>
Pray write to my mother - my service to my brother, with my
prayers for his health. We prayed for his recovery, which we hop
will be sudaine. My brother presents his love to you. If you
write to my mother, and send the inclosed you'll doe a great
favour. My mother is grieved she heard not from me.

<Q HAR 1661 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 220>
[} [\SIR EDWARD HARLEY TO HIS BROTHER, ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF
HIS SON ROBERT, AFTERWARDS CREATED EARL OF OXFORD.\] }] [^TO
THOMAS HARLEY^]
   Deare Brother - I thanke God I can give you the notice of the
great mercy God hath pleased to vouchsafe us. Thursday, 5 Dec.
between 7 and 8 in the evening my wife was very well delivered
of a lusty boy, who was next day baptized and bears my fathers
name, and through mercy my brother was recovered to so much
strength as to be present. I desire you to joyn with us in
thankfulness for this great mercy. 
   I desire to be comended to Mr. Hawes. Sir H. Lingen came not
to town before this night. Monday morning, God willing, I shall
speak with him, and I hope secure both Mr. Hawes and some others
from further troubles. I hope you have received before this time
some letters I wrote since W. Reynolds coming up, who brought
all things safe. 
   I pray God bless the children, who I hope will be glad of
theyr new brother, for they shall be loved still ... 
peice ... leg and thigh. My sister is much better in health than
when she came up. I pray God be with you.
   I am your most affectinat brother, Edw. Harley.
(^Bow: Street, Dec: 7, 1661.^)
   [\DIRECTED\] - To the Worspl. Thomas Harley, Esq. at Bucknel.
   Leave this with Mr. Edward Robinson, bookseller, at Ludlow.

<Q HAR 1658 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 237>
[} [\(1.) LETTER FROM EDWARD HARLEY TO THE MASTER AND FELLOWS
OF CAIUS COLL. 14 DEC. 1658. EDWARD HARLEY TO THE REVEREND AND
WORTHY THE MASTER AND FELLOWES OF GONVIL AND CAIUS COLLEDG IN
CAMBRIDG - PRESENT THESE.\] }] 
   Reverend and Worthy - The leas of the rectory of Folden in
Norfolk, granted by your society to my wifes mother, the Lady
Button, and by her death accrewing to us, wee desire in Gods
fear, so far as lies in us, to restore that portion of the Lords
to the seruice of the Lord. We would choos silently to discharge
this duty; but we hope God will inclin the hearts of so worthy a
school of the prophets, both to place a godly and lerned pastor
at Folden, now voyd, and to perpetuat that mayntenance which I
can only perform for a few years. In order to which we are
willing to resign our leas upon these terms, - viz. That you wil
promis under your hands to joyn your best endevors with ours,
that assoon as may be, by act of Parlement, the profits of the
rectory of Folden surmounting your rent reserued upon our leas,
may be vnited to the vicarag, and settled for ever upon the
incumbent minister at Folden; that until this vnion be effected,
according to law, you will renew the leas for twenty- and one
years future, either to myself or some other person of
responsible estat and integrity, only in trust and for the use
and benefit of the minister of Folden for the time being, which
leassee shal also giv bond of 500 lb. penalty not to conuert the
profits aforsaid to any other use then is expressed. 
   Concerning the next incumbent, I beseech you accept my thanks
for your curteous offer by Mr. Naylor, of the nomination, of
which favor I shall only desire this, that before you confer
your presentation, the person may be aproved by my reverend
friend Dr. Tuckney. I understand the benefit of my leas will
augment the mayntenance to 100 lb. yearly, which wil be a
comfortable subsistence for an able divine. To such an one I
<P 238>
beseech God direct your choice, and bles your society, to send
forth many faithful laborers into the vineyard of the Lord, who
from thence may be transplanted to shine as the stars for ever.
Thus prays
   Your most assured friend to serve you,
   Edw. Harley.
(^Decemb. 14, 1658.^)

<Q HAR 1658 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 238>
[} [\(2.) LETTER TO DR. TUCKNEY, MASTER OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE. EDWARD HARLEY TO THE REVEREND DR. TUCKNEY, MASTER OF
ST. JOHN'S COLLEDG, AND REGIUS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN
CAMBRIDG, PRESENT THESE.\] }] 
   Reverend S=r= - Whereas the Master and Fellowes of Caius
Colledg have pleased in contemplation of some interest I hau in
the impropriat rectory of Folden in Norfolk, to offer me the
nomination of the next incumbent, now voyd, and in the colledges
gift, of which favor I have only thus far accepted, to desire
that the person the college intend to present may be first
aproved by yourself, whom I beseech to be wel assured, that the
person you shall approv, be orthodox in doctrin and disciplin,
and of a godly conversation. Your acquaintance with my dear
father, who is with God, encorages me in this boldness to
trouble you, as your known worth gives me confidence to entrust
you. I shal be most glad of any occasion to present you a
thankful return from, S=r=,
   Your very faithful friend and servant, E. H.
(^Tawstok in Devon, Decemb: 14, 1658.^)

<Q HAR 1665 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 240>
[} [\(1.) LETTER FROM SIR EDWARD HARLEY TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR 
CLARENDON. 12 DEC. 1665.\] }] 
   May it please your Lordship - I humbly address this to wipe
off that breath would intercept the clearness of your Lordship's
favor, wherein (in that degree became me) I thought myself
happy. My Lord Bishop of Hereford since his return from
Parliament told me that your Lordship had acquainted him you had
received some late informations concerning me, as if I were not
well affected, neither to the church nor state, and that I
countenanced factious persons. Particular instances or proofs of
this general accusation my Lord Bishop did not mention to me,
<P 241>
and if such were given to your Lordship, I doubt not most
clearly to disprove or refute them. 
   I shall therefore (after most humble thanks for the notice
your Lordship hath pleased thus to give me, wherein I hope I
mistake not your favors towards me) beg leave to rectifye myself
before your Lordship. 
   As for my religion, I thank God I can truly say I have no
opinion but what is consonant to the Catholic faith and the
doctrines of the Church of England, but what I have learned out
of the Scriptures and the writings of the ancient fathers;
accordingly, through God's help, I endeavour to lead my life,
which, to clear me from all suspicion of schism, hath not only
the present and sufficient evidences of a constant and reverend
attendance upon divine service, but in times of danger had the
testimony of many hazards, and expences in behalf of reverend
persons of the church. I could say more, but I forbear, least I
speak like a fool. My Lord, I wonder not that I am now reported
to be a countenancer of factious persons, for I well remember
when I served his Majesty in Dunkirk, it was commonly said, that
the chaplains I brought into garrison were factious persons. But
the truth was, I discarded the factious, and introduced learned
and pious persons, who are now, one of them a prelate, the
others, reverend divines in the church. I can now also truly
averr, that I have not countenanced any factious persons, nor
have such persons resorted to me, nor hath there been in my
family any factious or unlawful meeting. 
   As for my affection to his Majesty's service, it is now
twenty years since, upon that account I have constantly lost,
done, and suffered: and in order to his Majesty's happy
restoration I did, without the vanity of comparison, employ all
the poor ability of my estate and person. My Lord, what I did
then, I did out of duty - I had not any other design. My Lord
General knew how unwillingly I undertook the command of Dunkirk.
In that employment, I thank God, I served his Majesty with all
fidelity and affection, and with as much devotion as ever my
life is always at his Majesty's service. 
   In the beginning of July, I was visited extreamly with the
gout in both my legs, from which affliction I have not been
wholly free for ten days space, that kept me from attending my
duty in Parliament. But in this part of the country, where I
reside, I can truly affirm the King's service, in all respects,
hath been diligently and faithfully managed.
<P 242>
   My Lord Bishop told me that the like information was brought
to your Lordship, concerning my brother Thomas as concerning
myself. As for him, though I had not sooner opportunity to
signifye, I had a most grateful sense of your Lordship's favor
in making him a Master in Chancery. He doth most humbly profess
the like, and what I have alleadged for myself, I can do the
same for him; that both his religion and loyalty are most
affectionately orthodox and sincere. Having said thus much, I
beseech I may add the tender of most humble service to your
Lordship from my brother Robert, who still remains with me in a
very weak condition. I hope your Lordship will vouchsafe credit
to these lines of truth, in behalf of a poor family, which hath
not deserved ill, I am confident, of those who have
misrepresented us. I heartily forgive all the injury, except the
necessity of so long a trouble to your Lordship, from, my Lord,
   Your Lordship's most obedient, most humble servant,
   E. Harley.
(^Brompton Brian, Dec. 12, 1665.^)

<Q HAR 1666 EHARLEY>
<A EDWARD HARLEY>
<P 243>
[} [\(3.) LETTER FROM SIR EDWARD HARLEY TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.
28 JAN. 1665-6.\] }] 
   I presume too much, to offer to your Lordship the trouble of
reading so many lines of no better subject than myself. I see,
it is too true, that it is very difficult to undertake one's own
cause, without committing great faults. Of one I am extremely
sensible - that I have occasioned your Lordship the pains of
answering my humble paper. I beg your pardon in all sincerity,
yet I cannot but reckon it a happy fault, by which I am
possessed of so 
<P 244>
many noble expressions of your Lordship's goodness and kindness,
as your lines bestow upon me. 
   I have many reasons to believe my Lord Bishop's friendship to
me, and specially because he hath several times related to me
your Lordship's fovourable discourse to him of me; but when I
shall have the honor to wait on your lordship, I shall, with
your leave, make appear what I said on my own behalf was not
altogether without cause. Though your Lordship be allways above
the endeavour, be pleased to accept the affection that devotes
me, my Lord,
   Your Lordship's most obedient, most humble servant,
   E.Harley.
(^Brompton Brian, January 28, 1665-6.^)
   To my Lord Chancellor Clarendon, &c.

<Q HAR 1638 RHARLEY>
<A ROBERT HARLEY>
<P 49>
[} [\SIR ROBERT HARLEY TO ED. H.\] }] [^TO EDWARD HARLEY^]
[^PAGE XLIX IN NOTES TO INTRODUCTION^]
   "Ned Harley, - I thank you for y=r= letters, and desier so to
carry y=e= buisiness with you y=t= you may alwaies thanke mee
for mine, and now y=t= y=e= Lord hath in His good providence
disposed you in y=e= university, and with so worthy a tutor as
is M=r= Perkins, and under y=e= vigilent government of y=e=
Principall Do=r= Wilkinson, whose holy example lett every day
make impression in you of y=e= good in w=ch= he moves. You must
consider y=t= y=e= end is to gett 
<P 50>
inlargement of knowledg in y=e= understandinge chiefly of God in
Christ, w=ch= is life eternall, then of morrall science, w=ch=
will not only enriche y=r= mind but sett of yo=r= conversation
amongst men, as shaddows do some pictures, to y=e= workeman's
greater com'endation. Fyrst then take y=e= wise man's counsell
to remember y=r= Creator in y=e= dayes of y=r= youth, to love
Hym y=t= made you when you were not, and redeemed you with y=e=
preciouse blood of His deare Sonne when you were lost, w=ch= you
must finde to be from a vaine conversation, and love will teach
you y=e= feare of y=e= Lord, and y=ts= y=e= beginninge of
wisdome, w=ch= not only makes one man differ from another, as
reason doth man from a beast, but giveth life to hym y=t= hath
it; and it will give you an elevation above y=e= base wayes
wherein many young men wallow; and I feare y=e= universities do
too much abound with such pigges, from w=ch= y=e= preservative
must be daily prayer for God's blessinge on y=r= owne and y=e=
endevours of y=r= loving and graciouse tutor, whose care and
counsells if you answer with diligence and obedience you will
allsoe my expectation, with no little comforte; so, with my
constant prayers for y=e= blessings of our heavenly Father upon
you, I send you y=e= blessing of y=r= loving father,
   Ro. Harley.
   "Brampton Castle, (\19=o= 9bris\) , 1638."



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